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Suspected Long Bone Fracture — Open Fracture Classification Typing — Clinical Pathway: Emergency

Open Long Bone Fracture Clinical Pathway — Emergency Department

Open Fracture Classification Typing

Type Definitions
I
  • Wound < 1 cm
  • Clean, no extensive soft tissue damage
  • No bone exposed
  • No comminution of the fracture
II
  • Wound > 1 cm
  • No extensive soft tissue damage, no flaps or avulsions
IIIA
  • Open segmental fracture
  • Excessive comminution
  • or
  • Open fracture with extensive soft tissue damage
  • Traumatic amputation
IIIB
  • IIIA but with soft tissue loss requiring soft tissue reconstruction by plastic surgery
IIIC
  • IIIA or B with a vascular injury requiring repair

Type I Type II Type IIIA Type IIIB
Type 1 Fracture Type 2 Fracture Type 3A Fracture Type 3B Fracture

 

 

Gustilo RB, Mendoza RM, Williams DN. Problems in the management of type III (severe) open fractures: a new classification of type III open fractures. J Trauma 1984; 24: 742-6; Melvin JS, Dombroski DG, Torbert JT et al. Open tibial shaft fractures: Evaluation and initial wound management. J Am Acad Orthop Surg 2010; 18 (1): 10-9

 

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