How is a compound fracture typically stabilized after surgery?

Many ways: It depends on the severity of the fracture (fracture pattern and location) and severity of the soft tissue injury. Some open fractures can be treated with a "wash-out" and immediate internal fixation to stabilize the fracture. Others may require an external fixator for stabilization. The classification of the soft-tissue injury is factor in determining the type of stabilization.

Stabilized fracture: "compound" has been replaced with the word "open". Depending upon the bone location, severity, and grade of the open fracture, may be splint, plate, screws, external fixator.