TL-HEX Trauma

The TL-HEX TrueLok Hexapod System® Trauma fixator is a frame designed specifically for trauma application. The components belong to the circular system family of TrueLok Ring Fixation System and TL-HEX TrueLok Hexapod System®. The system consists of circular and semi-circular external supports secured to the bones by wires and half pins and interconnected by three rapid adjust struts. The ring positions are adjusted rapidly to perform bone segment repositioning in three-dimensional space thanks to specific connection elements (rapid adjust struts) dedicated to trauma application.

TL-HEX Trauma combines the advantages of a quick and simple application with the help of software to perform precise reduction adjustments, as and when it is needed.

Product Description

Features & Benefits:

  • Suitable for damage control
  • Simple (universal components, such as wire and half-pin fixation bolts, reduce the number of parts needed in surgery)
  • Stable (wire and half pin fixation bolts with serrations and grooves provide superior bone segment stabilization¹)
  • Reproducible and standardized technique
  • Quick application (nuts and bolts for hand tightening of the entire frame)
  • Easy access to fracture and for plastic surgery (5/8 rings feature)
  • Time saving (hexapod conversion doesn’t need a second surgery)
  • Minimally invasive approach
  • Ideal in proximal and distal metaphysis​
  • Designed to allow early weight bearing (at surgeon discretion) and functional recovery

Anatomical Site:

The system can be applied on lower limb, both in adult and pediatric patients (except for newborns). In periarticular fractures the application of minimally invasive wires and circular fixation is one effective option with proven outcomes2.

Procedure:

Three simple operative steps:

  • Frame application:
    • Two TL-HEX rings applied in any desidered position
    • Wires and half pins used to secure the rings to the limb
    • Two rapid adjust struts engaged on the ring and partially tightened
  • Fracture reduction:
    • Manual rapid reduction with central bolts loosened
    • When reduction is good all nuts and bolts must be tightened
  • Final stabilization:
    • Add one (or two) more rapid struts to definitive stabilization

In cases requiring further gradual three-dimensional precise reductions, TL-HEX hexapod struts can be added to the rings, converting the TL-HEX Trauma frame into a software guided hexapod frame. For more info, see www.tlhex.com.

Footnotes

  1. Gessmann J, Jettkant B, Königshausen M, Schildhauer TA, Seybold D. Improved wire stiffness with modified connection bolts in Ilizarov external frames: a biomechanical study. Acta Bioeng Biomech. 2012;14(4):15-21.​
  2. “Bycondylar tibial plateau fractures treated with fine wire circular fixation”, Ferreira N, Marais L.C.- Strat Traum Limb Recon (2014) 9:25–32.
    “High tibial plateau fractures treated with hybrid external fixation”, Babis GC, Evangelopoulos DS, Kontovazenitis P, Nikolopoulos K, Soucacos PN – Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research 2011. “Distal tibial fractures treated with hybrid external fixation”, Babis GC, Kontovazenitis P, Evangelopoulos DS, Tsailas P, Nikolopoulos K, Soucacos PN – Injury, 2010 Mar;41(3):253-8. “Management of distal tibial intra-articular fractures with circular external fixation”, Lovisetti G, Agus MA, Pace F, Capitani D, Sala F – Strat Traum Limb Recon (2009) 4:1–6. “Combined Percutaneus internal and external fixation of complex tibial plafond fractures”, Faldini C, Manca M, Digennaro V, Leonetti D, Nanni M, Romagnoli M, Biagini C – G.I.O.T. 2006; 32:33-39. “Treatment of high energy tibial plateau fractures”, Narayan B, Harris C, Nayagam S – Strat Traum Limb Recon 2006; 1:18-28. “The use of trans-articular and extra-articular external fixator for management of distal tibial intra-articular fractures”, El-Shazly M, Dalby-Ball J, Burton M, Saleh M – Injury, Int. J. Care Injured 32 (2001) S-D-99-S-D-106.

Instructions For Use