Transfixation

The past 25 years have seen a progressive improvement in external fixation techniques in terms of patient acceptability, ease of appli- cation and apparatus stability. The recent awareness in Europe of the method, application and excellent results of the technique pio- neered by G. A. I1izarov has caused a rapid increase here in the number of surgeons who have become "banderilleros". In particu- lar, external fixators can be used in the treatment of difficult clini- cal conditions, such as severe fractures and their sequelae, as well as for the correction of congenital deformities of the peripheral skeleton. As one of the first in France to use the lIizarov method, I became increasingly aware that we needed an updating of anatomical knowledge oriented towards this technique, which uses multiple fixation pins. Without this anatomical infonnation, there is real danger of damaging neuro-vascular structures or entering ajoint in the course of assembling the fixator. Traditional anatomical cross- sections are often inadequate or too schematic to serve as a safe guide for the surgeon using this particular technique.This is the reason why my colleagues Claude Faure and Philippe Merloz have produced and analysed a series of anatomical cross-sections of the limbs to serve this particular need.