Health-Related Quality of Life Is Decreased After Necrotizing Soft-Tissue Infections.

BACKGROUND: A necrotizing soft-tissue infection (NSTI) is a rare but severe infection with a high mortality rate of 12%-20%. Diagnosing is challenging and often delayed. Treatment consists of surgical debridement of all necrotic tissue and administration of antibiotics. Despite adequate treatment, survivors are often left with extensive wounds, resulting in mutilating scars and functional deficits. Both the disease and the subsequent scars can negatively influence the health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The present study was performed to contribute to the knowledge about HRQoL in patients after NSTI. METHODS: We retrospectively identified patients treated for NSTI in a tertiary center in the Netherlands. Patient and treatment characteristics were collected and patients were asked to fill in a Short Form 36 questionnaire. RESULTS: Forty-six patients with a diagnosis of NSTI were identified. Twenty-eight (61%) were male and mean age was 57 y. Thirty-nine patients (80%) survived. Thirty-one (84%) of the survivors returned the questionnaire after a median follow-up of 4.1 y (interquartile range [IQR], 2.4-5.9 y). Statistically significantly decreased scores when compared to the Dutch reference values were observed for the Short Form 36 domains, physical functioning, role-physical functioning, general health, and the combined Physical Component Score. No differences were observed for the other five domains or for the Mental Component Score. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms that NSTI negatively affects HRQoL as reported by the patient, especially on the physical domains. To learn more about HRQoL in patients after NSTI, studies in larger groups with a more disease-specific questionnaire should be performed. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 3, prognostic and epidemiological.

Lateral Process Fracture of the Talus: A Case Series and Review of the Literature.

Fracture of the lateral process of the talus (LPFT) is a frequently overlooked injury that can lead to severe complaints if not treated adequately. The aim of this study was to evaluate treatment and long-term outcomes of LPFT through a review of the literature. Furthermore, we propose a modified classification based on severity and intra- or extra-articular location of LPFT. Patients diagnosed with LPFT and treated at a Level 1 trauma center between 2001 and 2018 were included. Fracture and treatment characteristics were recorded in combination with functional outcome and quality of life after a mean follow-up of 5.5 (range 0.8 to 17.2) years. A comprehensive literature search was performed to identify all case series regarding patients with LPFT; 36 patients were included. According to our modified classification, 1 patient had type 1A (2.8%), 6 patients had type 1B (16.7%), 10 patients had type 2 (27.8%), 11 patients had type 3 (30.6%), 6 patients had type 4A (16.7%), and 2 patients had type 4B (5.6%). Twenty-eight patients underwent operative fixation (78%). The median American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Hindfoot Score was 75 (range 12 to 100). The median Foot Function Index was 2 (range 0 to 9). The median score for the EuroQol-5D was 0.8 (range -0.5 to 1), and the median score for health status component was 75 (range 30 to 98). There is some room for conservative treatment of LPFT; however, we strongly believe that this should be considered only for nondisplaced, small-fragment, and extra-articular fractures. Surgical treatment leads to an overall good (long-term) outcome.

Mesh versus suture repair of umbilical hernia in adults: a randomised, double-blind, controlled, multicentre trial.

BACKGROUND: Both mesh and suture repair are used for the treatment of umbilical hernias, but for smaller umbilical hernias (diameter 1-4 cm) there is little evidence whether mesh repair would be beneficial. In this study we aimed to investigate whether use of a mesh was better in reducing recurrence compared with suture repair for smaller umbilical hernias. METHODS: We did a randomised, double-blind, controlled multicentre trial in 12 hospitals (nine in the Netherlands, two in Germany, and one in Italy). Eligible participants were adults aged at least 18 years with a primary umbilical hernia of diameter 1-4 cm, and were randomly assigned (1:1) intraoperatively to either suture repair or mesh repair. In the first 3 years of the inclusion period, blocked randomisation (of non-specified size) was achieved by an envelope randomisation system; after this time computer-generated randomisation was introduced. Patients, investigators, and analysts were masked to the allocated treatment, and participants were stratified by hernia size (1-2 cm and >2-4 cm). At study initiation, all surgeons were invited to training sessions to ensure they used the same standardised techniques for suture repair or mesh repair. Patients underwent physical examinations at 2 weeks, and 3, 12, and 24-30 months after the operation. The primary outcome was the rate of recurrences of the umbilical hernia after 24 months assessed in the modified intention-to-treat population by physical examination and, in case of any doubt, abdominal ultrasound. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00789230. FINDINGS: Between June 21, 2006, and April 16, 2014, we randomly assigned 300 patients, 150 to mesh repair and 150 to suture repair. The median follow-up was 25·1 months (IQR 15·5-33·4). After a maximum follow-up of 30 months, there were fewer recurrences in the mesh group than in the suture group (six [4%] in 146 patients vs 17 [12%] in 138 patients; 2-year actuarial estimates of recurrence 3·6% [95% CI 1·4-9·4] vs 11·4% (6·8-18·9); p=0·01, hazard ratio 0·31, 95% CI 0·12-0·80, corresponding to a number needed to treat of 12·8). The most common postoperative complications were seroma (one [<1%] in the suture group vs five [3%] in the mesh group), haematoma (two [1%] vs three [2%]), and wound infection (one [<1%] vs three [2%]). There were no anaesthetic complications or postoperative deaths. INTERPRETATION: This is the first study showing high level evidence for mesh repair in patients with small hernias of diameter 1-4 cm. Hence we suggest mesh repair should be used for operations on all patients with an umbilical hernia of this size. FUNDING: Department of Surgery, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands.

Resection of Small Avulsion Fractures of the Anterior Process of the Calcaneus for Refractory Complaints.

Minor injuries of the anterior process of the calcaneus occur frequently and most heal uneventfully. The present series reports on 6 patients with persistent complaints after anterior process avulsion fractures. The avulsed fragments of the anterior process at the calcaneocuboid joint were surgically excised in all, which resolved the complaints completely in 4 patients and reduced the complaints significantly in 2. If conservative measures fail and the complaints are refractory, debridement of the anterior process avulsion fractures at the calcaneocuboid joint could be a viable option.

"Thunderstruck": penetrating thoracic injury from lightning strike.

Lightning strike victims are rarely presented at an emergency department. Burns are often the primary focus. This case report describes the improvised explosive device like-injury to the thorax due to lightning strike and its treatment, which has not been described prior in (kerauno)medicine. Penetrating injury due to blast from lightning strike is extremely rare. These "shrapnel" injuries should however be ruled out in all patients struck by lightning.

Measuring External Rotation of the Fibula and Fibular Length in Bilateral Computed Tomography Scans: How Reliable Is This Method?

OBJECTIVES: During ankle fracture surgery, goals include accurate reduction and fixation of the fibula regarding rotation and fibular length. Bilateral postoperative computed tomography (CT) can be performed to assess fibular rotation using the talar dome angle, and fibular length. The aim of this study was to compare side-to-side differences of the fibular rotation and fibular length using bilateral CT scans of uninjured ankles. DESIGN: Retrospective. SETTING: Single center, Level I Academic Trauma Center. PATIENT SELECTION CRITERIA: Patients with bilateral CT scans of uninjured ankles. OUTCOME MEASURES AND COMPARISONS: External rotation using the Nault talar dome method and fibular length using the coronal method of Prior et al. The average, difference, and ratio (injured side/healthy side) and interobserver variability were calculated. RESULTS: There were 83 patients included (166 ankles, mean age 47 years, 77.1% male). A random set of 66 ankles (33 CT scans) were used to measure interobserver variability. The mean degrees of external rotation ranged from 6.6 to 7.7, mean difference ranged from 1.4 to 3.4 degrees, mean ratio ranged from 1.1 to 1.5, and interobserver variability ranged from 0.27 to 0.65. For fibular length, the mean ranged from 24.6 to 25.8 mm, mean difference in fibular length ranged from 0.5 to 2.1 mm, mean ratio ranged from 1.0 to 1.1 mm, and interobserver variability ranged from 0.45 to 0.73. CONCLUSIONS: Using bilateral ankle CT scans, mean differences in fibular rotation using the Nault talar dome method were 1.4-3.4 degrees. The distal fibular length had a mean difference between both sides of 0.5-2.1 mm. Although the intraclass correlation's were low, the interleg differences between patients were small, making them useful for clinical practice. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Diagnostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Radiographic assessment of calcaneal fractures; A new approach to Böhler's angle using computed tomography.

BACKGROUND: Böhler's angle (BA) is used for identifying calcaneal fractures and evaluating calcaneal collapse after reconstruction. This study investigates whether it is possible to determine BA with the help of Computed Tomography (CT). METHODS: A retrospective study was performed to compare the BA on conventional radiograph (Gold Standard, GS) versus measurements on CT. Two groups were studied: one group consisted of 11 subjects with a diagnosed calcaneal fracture, the other group of 11 subjects with a fracture of the lower extremities but no calcaneal fracture. A lateral Böhler angle (LBA), central Böhler angle (CBA) and a medial Böhler angle (MBA) were defined on CT. Furthermore, BA was reconstructed out of a 3D reconstruction (3DBA). RESULTS: CBA approached the GS with a mean difference of 3.78° (95 %CI: 2.82-4.75) with no significant difference in variance (p = 1.000). 3DBA approached the GS with a mean difference of 2.14° (95 %CI: 1.57-2.70) with a significant difference in variance (p = 0.014). No relevant correlations were found between LBA/MBA and the GS. ICC between raters was considered as good or excellent for both CBA and 3DBA. CONCLUSION: Giving the high accuracy and better capability to visualize the anatomy in the case of severe injury, measuring BA on 3D reconstruction is a suggested alternative to the traditional technique. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III, Retrospective.

Adjunctive hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the management of severe lower limb soft tissue injuries: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: Traumatic crush injuries of the lower limb often accompany severe complications. The incorporation of hyperbaric oxygen therapy to standard trauma care may have the potential to diminish injury-related complications and improve outcome in such cases. This systematic review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the management of severe lower limb soft tissue injuries. METHODS: The electronic databases Medline, Embase and Cochrane Library were searched to identify studies involving patients with crush-associated sever lower limb soft tissue injuries who received hyperbaric oxygen therapy in conjunction with standard trauma care. Relevant data on type of injury, hyperbaric oxygen therapy protocol and outcome related to wound healing were extracted. RESULTS: In total seven studies met the inclusion criteria, involving 229 patients. The studies included two randomized clinical trials, one retrospective cohort study, three case series and one case report. The randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial showed a significant increase in wound healing and decrease in the need for additional surgical interventions in the patient group receiving hyperbaric oxygen therapy when compared to those undergoing sham therapy. The randomized non-placebo-controlled clinical trial revealed that early hyperbaric oxygen therapy reduces tissue necrosis and the likelihood of long-term complications. The retrospective cohort study indicated that hyperbaric oxygen therapy effectively reduces infection rates and the need for additional surgical interventions. The case series and case report presented beneficial results with regard to wound healing when hyperbaric oxygen therapy was added to the treatment regimen. CONCLUSION: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is generally considered a safe therapeutic intervention and seems to have a beneficial effect on wound healing in severe lower limb soft tissue injuries when implemented as an addition to standard trauma care.

IDENTIFICATION OF POTENTIALLY MODIFIABLE FACTORS TO IMPROVE RECOGNITION AND OUTCOME OF NECROTIZING SOFT-TISSUE INFECTIONS.

ABSTRACT: Background : Necrotizing soft-tissue infections (NSTIs) present a surgical emergency of increasing incidence, which is often misdiagnosed and associated with substantial mortality and morbidity. A retrospective multicenter (11 hospitals) cohort study was initiated to identify the early predictors of misdiagnosis, mortality, and morbidity (skin defect size and amputation). Methods : Patients of all ages who presented with symptoms and were admitted for acute treatment of NSTIs between January 2013 and December 2017 were included. Generalized estimating equation analysis was used to identify early predictors (available before or during the first debridement surgery), with a significance level of P < 0.05. Results : The median age of the cohort (N = 216) was 59.5 (interquartile range = 23.6) years, of which 138 patients (63.9%) were male. Necrotizing soft-tissue infections most frequently originated in the legs (31.0%) and anogenital area (30.5%). More than half of the patients (n = 114, 54.3%) were initially misdiagnosed. Thirty-day mortality was 22.9%. Amputation of an extremity was performed in 26 patients (12.5%). Misdiagnosis was more likely in patients with a higher Charlson Comorbidity Index (ß = 0.20, P = 0.001), and less likely when symptoms started in the anogenital area (ß = -1.20, P = 0.003). Besides the established risk factors for mortality (septic shock and age), misdiagnosis was identified as an independent predictor of 30-day mortality (ß = 1.03, P = 0.01). The strongest predictors of the final skin defect size were septic shock (ß = 2.88, P < 0.001) and a skin-sparing approach to debridement (ß = -1.79, P = 0.002). Conclusion : Recognition of the disease is essential for the survival of patients affected by NSTI, as is adequate treatment of septic shock. The application of a skin-sparing approach to surgical debridement may decrease morbidity.

Non-compressible truncal and junctional hemorrhage: A retrospective analysis quantifying potential indications for advanced bleeding control in Dutch trauma centers.

BACKGROUND: Truncal and junctional hemorrhage is the leading cause of potentially preventable deaths in trauma patients. To reduce this mortality, the application of advanced bleeding control techniques, such as resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA), junctional tourniquets, Foley catheters, or hemostatic agents should be optimized. This study aimed to identify trauma patients with non-compressible truncal and junctional hemorrhage (NCTJH) who might benefit from advanced bleeding control techniques during initial trauma care. We hypothesized that there is a substantial cohort of Dutch trauma patients that can possibly benefit from advanced bleeding control techniques. METHODS: Adult trauma patients with an Abbreviated Injury Scale ≥3 in the torso, neck, axilla, or groin region, who were presented between January 1st, 2014 and December 31st, 2018 to two Dutch level-1 trauma centers, were identified from the Dutch Trauma Registry. Potential indications for advanced bleeding control in patients with NCTJH were assessed by an expert panel of three trauma surgeons based on injury characteristics, vital signs, response to resuscitation, and received treatment. RESULTS: In total, 1719 patients were identified of whom 249 (14.5 %) suffered from NCTJH. In 153 patients (60.6 %), hemorrhagic shock could have been mitigated or prevented with advanced bleeding control techniques. This group was younger and more heavily injured: median age of 40 versus 48 years and median ISS 33 versus 22 as compared to the entire cohort. The mortality rate in these patients was 31.8 %. On average, each of the included level-1 trauma centers treated an NCTJH patient every 24 days in whom a form of advanced bleeding control could have been beneficial. CONCLUSIONS: More than half of included Dutch trauma patients with NCTJH may benefit from in-hospital application of advanced bleeding control techniques, such as REBOA, during initial trauma care. Widespread implementation of these techniques in the Dutch trauma system may contribute to reduction of mortality and morbidity from non-compressible truncal and junctional hemorrhage.

The effectiveness of ambulatory continuous popliteal sciatic nerve blockade on patient-reported overall benefit of analgesia in patients undergoing foot or ankle surgery (CAREFREE trial); a randomized, open label, non-inferiority trial.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Management of pain after foot and ankle surgery remains a concern for patients and healthcare professionals. This study determined the effectiveness of ambulatory continuous popliteal sciatic nerve blockade, compared to standard of care, on overall benefit of analgesia score (OBAS) in patients undergoing foot or ankle surgery. We hypothesized that usage of ambulatory continuous popliteal sciatic nerve blockade is non-inferior to standard of care. DESIGN: Single center, randomized, non-inferiority trial. SETTING: Tertiary hospital in the Netherlands. PATIENTS: Patients were enrolled if ≥18 years and scheduled for elective inpatient foot or ankle surgery. INTERVENTION: Patients were randomized to ambulatory continuous popliteal sciatic nerve blockade or standard of care. MEASUREMENTS: The primary outcome was the difference in OBAS, which includes pain, side effects of analgesics, and patient satisfaction, measured daily from the first to the third day after surgery. A non-inferiority margin of 2 was set as the upper limit for the 90% confidence interval of the difference in OBAS score. Mixed-effects modeling was employed to analyze differences in OBAS scores over time. Secondary outcome was the difference in opioid consumption. MAIN RESULTS: Patients were randomized to standard of care (n = 22), or ambulatory continuous popliteal sciatic nerve blockade (n = 22). Analyzing the first three postoperative days, the OBAS was significantly lower over time in the ambulatory continuous popliteal sciatic nerve blockade group compared to standard of care, demonstrating non-inferiority (-1.9 points, 90% CI -3.1 to -0.7). During the first five postoperative days, patients with ambulatory continuous popliteal sciatic nerve blockade consumed significantly fewer opioids over time compared to standard of care (-8.7 oral morphine milligram equivalents; 95% CI -16.1 to -1.4). CONCLUSIONS: Ambulatory continuous popliteal sciatic nerve blockade is non-inferior to standard of care with single shot popliteal sciatic nerve blockade on patient-reported overall benefit of analgesia.

"The Practical Perforator Flap": the sural artery flap for lower extremity soft tissue reconstruction in wounds of war.

BACKGROUND: Sural artery perforator flaps have been described for use as both local flaps and in free tissue transfer. We present the use of this flap for compound soft tissue defects of the lower limb in civilian casualties of armed conflict in Afghanistan. METHODS/RESULTS: Detailed description of the management of blast and high-velocity projectile wounds of the lower extremity with the use of local sural perforator flaps and a review of literature. CONCLUSIONS: Sural artery perforator flaps may be harvested to cover complex lower limb defects. The use of this technique is not limited to centers with complex surgical armamentarium per se, but is feasible for surgeons with good understanding of the local anatomy.

Implant Choice and Outcomes of the Sinus Tarsi Approach for Displaced Intra-articular Calcaneal Fractures.

BACKGROUND: Operative fixation of displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures is considered the gold standard, for which multiple fixation methods are available. This study compares the (functional) outcome of screw fixation (SF), plate fixation (PF), and anatomical plate fixation (APF) via the sinus tarsi approach (STA). METHODS: A total of 239 patients (265 fractured calcanei) who received surgical treatment of a displaced intra-articular calcaneal fracture via STA between 2011 and 2022 were included. RESULTS: Böhler angle (BA) measured immediately postoperatively (BA post-OR) and the decrease in BA at 1 year (∆BA) differed significantly in favor of PF/APF compared with SF (BA post-OR: SF vs PF P = .010 and SF vs APF P = .001; ∆BA: SF vs PF P = .032 and SF vs APF P = .042). Implant removal surgery was performed significantly less in the APF group as compared to the SF/PF groups (APF vs SF/PF; 9.9% vs 22.9%/23.7%, P = .015). Surgical site infections and secondary arthrodesis of the subtalar joint occurred equally in the 3 groups. Furthermore, the mean American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society ankle-hindfoot scale, Foot Function Index score, and EuroQOL-5D-index / visual analog scale score, did not differ notably between SF, PF, and APF. CONCLUSION: The results show that both PF and APF are favored over SF because of an improved correction of BA measured directly postoperatively, a lower secondary loss of BA and, for APF, a lower implant removal rate. There was no difference in the rate of surgical site infections, need for secondary arthrodesis, nor functional outcome scores between different implants using the STA. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective cohort study.

Pelvic Ring Fractures in Older Adult Patients-Assessing Physician Practice Variation among (Orthopedic) Trauma Surgeons.

PURPOSE: Pelvic fractures in older adults are a major public health problem and socioeconomic burden. The standard of care has changed over the past years, and there is limited consensus on which patients benefit from surgical fixation. There is currently no nationwide treatment protocol to guide the decision-making process. Therefore, the aim of this survey was to provide more insight into if, when, and why patients with a fragility fracture of the pelvis (FFPs) would be considered for additional imaging and surgical fixation by treating physicians. METHODS: An online clinical vignette-based survey of hypothetical scenarios was sent out to all orthopedic and trauma surgeons in the Netherlands. The questionnaire comprised multiple-choice questions and radiographic images. Differences between subgroups were calculated using the X2 test or the Fisher exact test. RESULTS: 169 surgeons responded to the survey, with varying levels of experience and working in different types of hospitals. In a patient with a simple pubic ramus fracture and ASA 2 or ASA 4, 32% and 18% of the respondents would always advise a CT scan for further analysis. In the same patients, 11% and 31% of the respondents would not advise a CT scan, respectively. When presented with three cases of increasing severity of co-morbidity (ASA) and/or increasing age and/or different clinical presentation of an FFP type 3c on a CT scan, an increasing number of respondents would not consider surgical fixation. There was significant variation in practice patterns between the respondents who do not work in a hospital performing pelvic and acetabular (P&A) fracture surgery and those who do work in a P&A referral hospital. Most respondents (77%) refer patients 1-5 times a year to an expert center for surgical fixation. CONCLUSION: There is currently a wide variety of clinical practices regarding the imaging and management of FFPs, which seems to be influenced by the type of hospital the patients are presented to. A regional or national evidence-based treatment protocol should be implemented to ensure a more uniform approach.

The fate of Böhler's angle in conservatively-treated displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures.

PURPOSE: Although the predictive value of Böhler's angle on outcome remains subject of debate, the initial angle at the time of trauma still guides treatment. Changes in Böhler's angle during follow-up are frequently reported following surgical treatment of displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures (DIACF). The aim of the present study was to determine the changes in Böhler's angle as a measure of secondary fracture displacement following conservative management of DIACF. METHODS: Thirty-eight patients with a total of 44 displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures treated conservatively with a minimum of two lateral radiographs during follow-up were analysed. Böhler's angle at different follow-up times was measured by three observers. The change in angle was compared with the angle at trauma, and influence of trauma mechanism and common calcaneal fracture classifications were determined. RESULTS: The results showed a significant decline over time of the Böhler's angle in conservatively-treated patients of more than 11° on average at a mean follow-up of 29.2 weeks. This decrease was not related to gender, the initial angle, or the Essex-Lopresti or Sanders classification. A statistically significantly higher decrease was detected in high energetic trauma compared with low energetic trauma. CONCLUSION: The conservative treatment of displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures is still a viable option, yet a significant secondary displacement in time should be taken into account, as reflected in a decrease of Böhler's angle of 11° up to one year following trauma.

Damage to the superficial peroneal nerve in operative treatment of fibula fractures: straight to the bone? Case report and review of the literature.

Ankle fractures are a significant part of the lower extremity trauma seen in the emergency department. Neurologic complications of ankle fracture surgery are infrequently described but account for significant morbidity. The risk of nerve injury is increased for the Blair and Botte type B pattern of the intermediate cutaneous dorsal nerve branch, crossing the distal fibula from posterior to anterior (at 5 to 7 cm from malleolar tip). This pattern is present in about 10% to 15% of patients. Injuries to the superficial peroneal nerve and its branches negatively influence the outcome. Early recognition and protection might reduce the incidence of superficial peroneal nerve injuries during open reduction and internal fixation of lateral malleolus fractures. We describe 2 surgically treated ankle fractures with superficial peroneal nerve branch (intermediate cutaneous dorsal nerve) involvement and review the current literature.

Long-Term Follow-up of Functional and Radiographic Outcome After Revision Surgery for Fibula Malunion.

Background. Ankle fractures are some of the most common injuries seen in the emergency department. Malunited ankle fractures are uncommon. Patients with malunion frequently present with multiple complaints. Radiographs often show abnormalities in anatomical alignment. Aim. To evaluate the anatomical alignment on radiographic imaging in patients with malunited ankle fractures. Secondary aims were to evaluate patient satisfaction after reconstruction and to investigate the relationships between radiological alignment and functional outcome. Methods. All consecutive patients (n = 25) treated for a fibula malunion between January 1, 2002, and September 1, 2017, were included. The primary outcome was anatomical alignment of the ankle mortise. The talocrural angle (TCA), talar tilt (TT), and medial clear space (MCS) were used to investigate to what extent revision surgery had improved alignment. The patient-related outcome measure consisted of the Olerud and Molander Ankle Score (OMAS). To assess quality of life (QoL) the EQ-5D-5L was used. Results. The median TCA was 78.4° before revision and 79.25° after revision; P = .297. The median TT was 2.95° before revision and 0.70° after; P < .001. The MCS before revision was 5.2 mm and 3.17 mm after; P < .000). The OMAS had a median of 67.5 points. Analysis of the QoL questionnaires yielded a score of 0.84 points. Conclusion. Anatomical alignment improves significantly after revision surgery of malunited ankles. Measurements of the TCA appeared less useful in determining the anatomical alignment. In our series, 60% of patients reported good to excellent results. The QoL scores of our patient were comparable to those in the healthy population in the Netherlands.Levels of Evidence: Level IV: Case series.

Functional outcome and quality of life in surgically treated talar neck and body fractures; how is it affected by complications.

BACKGROUND: Since talus fractures are rare, study populations are frequently small. The aim of this study is to describe how surgical treatment of talar neck and body fractures and postoperative complications affect functional outcome and quality of life measured by validated questionnaires. METHODS: All patients following surgically treated talar neck and/or body fracture between January 2000 and December 2019 at a level 1 trauma center were included in this retrospective cohort study. Primary outcomes were functional outcomes measured by Lower Extremity Functional Score (LEFS), the Foot Function Index (FFI), and the Quality of Life (QOL) measured by the EuroQol 5-dimension questionnaire (EQ-5D). Linear regression was used to assess the relationship between continuous variables and the outcome, and multivariable linear regression was used to identify the predictors of the functional outcome. RESULTS: Ninety patients were included, of which 73 responded to our questionnaires. The median follow-up time was 50.5 (interquartile range (IQR), 18.3-97.3) months. Our study showed the following results: a mean LEFS of 58.4 (range, 17-80), a median FFI of 15.7 (IQR, 3.5-35.2), a median EQ-5D index score of 0.83 (IQR, 0.81-1.00), a median patient satisfaction of 9.0 (IQR, 8.0-10.0), a patient reported health status of 76.8 (range, 20-100), and a mean AOFAS score of 75.7 (range, 28-100). Implant removal and secondary arthrodesis were associated with a reduced AOFAS outcome score (p=0.001, p<0.001), and implant removal was also a predictive factor for a less favorable LEFS outcome score (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: Patients who underwent implant removal and/or secondary arthrodesis had poorer functional outcome compared to patients who did not undergo additional procedures. Careful consideration of re-intervention must be made in combination with patient expectation management. Future studies should focus on how to lower the rate of complications and the effect of secondary intervention with the use of validated questionnaires.

In-House Attending Trauma Surgeon Does Not Reduce Mortality in Patients Presented to a Level 1 Trauma Center.

BACKGROUND: Trauma is the leading cause of death in the Western world. Trauma systems have been paramount in opposing this problem. Commonly, Level 1 Trauma Centers are staffed by in-house (IH) attending trauma surgeons available 24/7, whereas other institutions function on an on-call (OC) basis with defined response times. There is on-going debate about the value of an IH attending trauma surgeon compared to OC trauma surgeons regarding clinical outcome. METHODS: This study was performed at a tertiary care facility complying with all requirements to be a designated Level 1 Trauma Center as defined by the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma (ACSCOT). Inclusion occurred from January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2013. Patients were assigned an identifier for IH trauma surgeon attendance versus OC attendance. The primary outcome variable studied was overall mortality in relation to IH or OC attending trauma surgeons. Additionally, time to operating theater, hospital length-of-stay (HLOS), and intensive care unit (ICU) admittance were investigated. RESULTS: A total of 1,287 unique trauma cases in 1,285 patients were presented to the trauma team. Of all cases, 712 (55.3%) occurred between 1700h and 0800h. These 712 cases were treated by an IH attending in 66.3% (n = 472) and an OC attending in 33.7% (n = 240). In the group of patients treated by an IH attending trauma surgeon, the overall mortality rate was 5.5% (n = 26); in the group treated by an OC attending, the overall mortality rate was 4.6% (n = 11; P = .599). Cause of death was traumatic brain injury (TBI) in 57.6%. No significant difference was found in the time between initial presentation at the trauma room and arrival in the operating theater. CONCLUSION: In terms of trauma-related mortality during non-office hours, no benefit was demonstrated through IH trauma surgeons compared to OC trauma surgeons.