Soft tissue complications following extensile lateral compared with minimally invasive surgical approaches in the operative treatment of calcaneus fractures.

BACKGROUND: Extensile lateral (ELA) and minimally invasive surgical (MIS) approaches are commonly used in the operative fixation of calcaneus fractures. The ELA has been the standard of care, but is associated with a high risk of wound complications. Minimally invasive surgical approaches have been developed to reduce these complications. METHODS: We completed a retrospective chart review of 201 patients with calcaneus fractures repaired by either ELA or MIS approaches between 2011 and 2018. We compared the incidence of soft tissue complications, including wound infections (requiring no surgical treatment) and deep infections (requiring surgical intervention), and performed multivariate regression analysis to determine independent risk factors associated with soft tissue complications and reoperation. RESULTS: The overall incidence of soft tissue complications was 8.1% in the MIS group compared with 28.8% in the ELA group (p = 0.0004). The incidence of patients with a deep infection requiring reoperation was 4.7% in the MIS group compared with 19.2% in the ELA group (p = 0.003). Risk factors of soft tissue complications included the presence of an open fracture (odds ratio [OR] 11.59, 95% confidence intervals [CI] 3.25-44.25) and use of ELA (OR 4.22, 95% CI 1.67-10.90). Risk factors for a deep infection requiring reoperation included the use of ELA (OR 4.43, 95% CI 1.51-13.64) and the presence of an open fracture (OR 4.00, 95% CI 0.91-15.3). CONCLUSION: The ELA is associated with an increased incidence of soft tissue complications and reoperation when compared with the MIS approach. The ELA and open fractures were found to be independent risk factors of soft tissue complications and reoperation. Surgeons treating calcaneus fractures should consider using a MIS technique, provided they are able to achieve the goals of surgical management without the ELA.

Supracondylar Fractures: A Retrospective Chart Review Comparing Infection Rate, Antibiotic Use, Surgical Time and Cost of Full Surgical Preparation and Draping vs "Semi-Sterile" Technique.

BACKGROUND: Semi-sterile and full preparation and draping techniques are commonly used in closed reduction percutaneous pinning (CRPP) of supracondylar fractures. Debate exists whether full preparation and draping is safer than semi-sterile technique in regards to infection risk and the utility of pre-operative antibiotics. This study is a comparison of infection rates, pre-operative antibiotic administration, cost and surgical time between techniques. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of 336 pediatric patients with supracondylar fractures repaired with CRPP at our institution was completed between January 2014 and April 2018, 168 per technique. Infection rates, pre-operative antibiotic administration, preparation-to-incision time and cost in semi-sterile draping versus full preparation and draping techniques were compared. RESULTS: Of the 336 patients, 1/168 (0.1%) in the full preparation and draping group developed an infection compared to 0/168 (0%) patients in the semi-sterile group. Pre-operative antibiotics (Cefazolin) were administered to 76/168 (23%) patients in the full preparation and draping group and 0/168 (0%) in the semi-sterile group. The infection found received pre-operative antibiotics. Mean preparation-to-incision time for the semi-sterile group was 2.4±2.0 minutes and the full preparation and draping group was 9.9 ±4.2 minutes (p <0.001). Surgical supply cost was $80.72 [CDN] and 108.24$ [CDN], respectively, for the semi-sterile and full preparation and draping groups. CONCLUSION: Risk of infection using a semi-sterile draping technique was safe and comparable to a full preparation and draping technique when used in CRPP of supracondylar fractures. The administration of pre-operative antibiotics does not appear to make a difference in infection rates. Semi-sterile operative technique is cost effective and has decreased preparation-to-incision time.