Date of Award

4-1964

Document Type

Thesis - Restricted

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Medical

First Advisor

Walter Blount

Second Advisor

Joseph Kuzma

Third Advisor

Ross C. Kory

Abstract

Open reduction of fractures may be necessary to: 1) Obtain reduction or fixation when ordinary closed method have failed, 2) Prevent displacement of unstable fractures, 3) Promote union, and 4) Decrease morbidity (1). Many surgeons, however, hesitate to employ open methods of treatment because they believe that open reduction has an adverse effect on fracture healing. Non-union of long bone fractures does occur in children following surgery, while it is unknown in fractures that are not operated upon (2).

The literature is replete with experiments showing the effect on fracture healing of various internal fixation devices. The author does not know of any previous controlled studies that have eliminated all other variables except exposure of the fracture site. The following experiment was carried out to determine the effect of this one factor on fracture healing.

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