Orthopedics · Fractures (Basics, Complications, Healing, Principles of Management)

A Gustilo-Anderson Type IIIC open femur fracture is defined by which characteristic?

  • A Extensive soft tissue loss with periosteal stripping
  • B Wound contamination with farm soil
  • C Compartment syndrome requiring fasciotomy
  • D Arterial injury requiring repair
Correct answer: D. Arterial injury requiring repair

Explanation

The Gustilo-Anderson classification of open fractures defines Type IIIC specifically by the presence of an arterial injury that requires vascular repair for limb salvage, regardless of soft tissue damage extent. Type IIIA involves adequate soft tissue coverage despite extensive laceration; Type IIIB involves extensive periosteal stripping and requires local or free flap coverage; Type IIIC adds the vascular injury component. Compartment syndrome and contamination do not define IIIC specifically.

Reference: Maheshwari Essential Orthopaedics, 6th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.

Sponsored

Want to test yourself?

Create a free account for timed mock tests, mistake tracking, and FSRS spaced-repetition revision across 23,000+ MCQs.

Start free → Log in

More Fractures (Basics, Complications, Healing, Principles of Management) MCQs

See all Fractures (Basics, Complications, Healing, Principles of Management) MCQs →