Recent advances in external skeletal fixation

While the use of external skeletal fixation was once associated with substa ntial postoperative morbidity, clinical and experimental studies have led t o technological advances and modifications in application techniques that h ave greatly improved the results obtained with this treatment modality. The past decade saw numerous advances in external skeletal fixator implants, c omponents and instrumentation, including improvements in fixation pin desig n, and the development of new linear external skeletal fixation systems and economical circular external skeletal fixation systems specifically engine ered for use in dogs and cats. In addition, a greater understanding of fixa tor biomechanics and the pathobiology of the bone-fixation pin interface ha ve improved fixator application practices. This article reviews many of the more significant recent advances in external skeletal fixation.