Hexapod External Fixator Systems

Marco Massobrio is an Aggregate Professor of Orthopaedics and Traumatology at "Sapienza" University of Rome and the current President of the Italian Society of External Fixation (SIFE). As Chief Surgeon of the Unit for pelvic and complex trauma of lower limbs at the Policlinico Umberto I in Rome, he has over 30 years of experience in the field of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, with a special interest in primary and secondary limb deformity correction and bone defect reconstruction, mainly by means of external fixator devices. For the past 10 years, he has been using computer- assisted hexapod external fixators for the treatment of complex deformities. Redento Mora is a Full Professor of Orthopaedics and Traumatology at the University of Pavia and is Chief Surgeon of the Orthopaedic Unit at the "Istituto di Cura Citta di Pavia". He has a special interest in the treatment of congenital and acquired limb deformities, post-traumatic bone loss and non-unions. He has considerable experience in bone regeneration, the use of circular external fixation for bone transport, and the use of computer-assisted hexapod external fixators.

1. History and evolution of hexapod external fixators.- 2 Principles of hexapod external fixators functions: software and hardware.- 3 Characteristics and usage modalities. Main systems.- 4 Hexapod external fixators in acute fracture treatment and their complications.- 5 Hexapod external fixators in the treatment of axial and rotation deformities and limb length discrepancies.- 6 Hexapod external fixators in bone defect treatment.- 7 Hexapod external fixators in pediatric deformities.- 8 Hexapod external fixators in articular stiffness treatment.- 9 Hexapod external fixators in foot deformity correction.- 10 Problems, challenge, complications in hexapod external fixation systems. Contraindications.- 11 Hexapod external fixators upgrade: motor powered frames , automation, deformity correction scheduling and remote control.- 12 Ancillary usage of hexapod external fixators: Fixator assisted nailing (FAN), fixator assisted locking plate (FALP), lenghtening over nail (LON), bone transport over a nail (BTON) and lenghtening  and then nailing (LATN).  External to internal fixation conversion timing.- 13 Ionizing radiation exposure.- 14 Economical aspects and practical considerations.- 15 Appendix: Deformity geometry.- 16 Nomenclature.