in this article we will discuss the Gustillo and Anderson’s Classification of Open Fractures. So let’s get started.
Gustillo and Anderson’s Classification
Type I: Wound is less than 1 cm in size. It is usually due to low velocity trauma.
Type II: Wound is more than 1 cm and less than 10 cm but there is no devitalization of soft tissue and is associated with very little contamination. These are due to high energy trauma.
Type III: Wounds moderate and severe in size (>10 cm) and the soft tissue are devitalized and contaminated.
Type IIIA: Extensive soft tissue injury but with adequate soft tissue to cover the fracture bone.
Type IIIB: Extensive soft tissue damage and loss. Bone cannot be covered and is exposed to the atmosphere.
Type IIIC: Compound fractures with arterial injuries.
No classification invites so much of debate as for open fractures with only 60% of the surgeons across the globe accepting it. Hence, newer modifications are now being suggested like:
1. The modified Gustillo Anderson’s classification
2. The Trafton classification (this combines the Gustillo Anderson’s and the Tscherne classification)
3. AO classification of soft tissue injury with alphanumeric classification of fractures