The management of embedded metal fragment patients and the role of chelation Therapy: A workshop of the Department of Veterans Affairs-Walter Reed National Medical Center.

Exposure to retained metal fragments from war-related injuries can result in increased systemic metal concentrations, thereby posing potential health risks to target organs far from the site of injury. Given the large number of veterans who have retained fragments and the lack of clear guidance on how to medically manage these individuals, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) convened a meeting of chelation experts and clinicians who care for embedded fragment patients to discuss current practices and provide medical management guidance. Based on this group's clinical expertise and review of published literature, the evidence presented suggests that, at least in the case of lead fragments, short-term chelation therapy may be beneficial for embedded fragment patients experiencing acute symptoms associated with metal toxicity; however, in the absence of clinical symptoms or significantly elevated blood lead concentrations (greater than 80 µg/dL), chelation therapy may offer little to no benefit for individuals with retained fragments and pose greater risks due to remobilization of metals stored in bone and other soft tissues. The combination of periodic biomonitoring to assess metal body burden, longitudinal fragment imaging, and selective fragment removal when metal concentrations approach critical injury thresholds offers a more conservative management approach to caring for patients with embedded fragments.

The Effect of Surgical Technique and Spacer Texture on Bone Regeneration: A Caprine Study Using the Masquelet Technique.

BACKGROUND: The Masquelet-induced-membrane technique is a commonly used method for treating segmental bone defects. However, there are no established clinical standards for management of the induced membrane before grafting. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: Two clinically based theories were tested in a chronic caprine tibial defect model: (1) a textured spacer that increases the induced-membrane surface area will increase bone regeneration; and (2) surgical scraping to remove a thin tissue layer of the inner induced-membrane surface will enhance bone formation. METHODS: Thirty-two skeletally mature female goats were assigned to four groups: smooth spacer with or without membrane scraping and textured spacer with or without membrane scraping. During an initial surgical procedure (unilateral, left tibia), a defect was created excising bone (5 cm), periosteum (9 cm), and muscle (10 g). Segments initially were stabilized with an intramedullary rod and an antibiotic-impregnated polymethylmethacrylate spacer with a smooth or textured surface. Four weeks later, the spacer was removed and the induced-membrane was either scraped or left intact before bone grafting. Bone formation was assessed using micro-CT (total bone volume in 2.5-cm central defect region) as the primary outcome; radiographs and histologic analysis as secondary outcomes, with the reviewer blinded to the treatment groups of the samples being assessed 12 weeks after grafting. All statistical tests were performed using a linear mixed effects model approach. RESULTS: Micro-CT analysis showed greater bone formation in defects with scraped induced membrane (mean, 3034.5 mm3; median, 1928.0 mm3; quartile [Q]1-Q3, 273.3-2921.1 mm3) compared with defects with intact induced membrane (mean, 1709.5 mm3; median, 473.8 mm3; Q1-Q3, 132.2-1272.3 mm3; p = 0.034). There was no difference in bone formation between textured spacers (mean, 2405.5 mm3; median, 772.7 mm3; Q1-Q3, 195.9-2743.8 mm3) and smooth spacers (mean, 2473.2 mm3; median, 1143.6 mm3; Q1-Q3, 230.2-451.1 mm3; p = 0.917). CONCLUSIONS: Scraping the induced-membrane surface to remove the innermost layer of the induced-membrane increased bone regeneration. A textured spacer that increased the induced-membrane surface area had no effect on bone regeneration. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Scraping the induced membrane during the second stage of the Masquelet technique may be a rapid and simple means of improving healing of segmental bone defects, which needs to be confirmed clinically.

Extremity War Injuries VIII: sequelae of combat injuries.

The 2013 Extremity War Injury symposium focused on the sequelae of combat-related injuries, including posttraumatic osteoarthritis, amputations, and infections. Much remains to be learned about posttraumatic arthritis, and there are few circumstances in which a definitive arthroplasty should be performed in an acutely injured and open joint. Although the last decade has seen tremendous advances in the treatment of combat upper extremity injuries, many questions remain unanswered, and continued research focusing on improving reconstruction of large segmental defects remains critical. Discussion of infection centered on the need for novel methods to reduce the bacterial load following the initial débridement procedures. Novel methods of delivering antimicrobial therapy and anti-inflammatory medications directly to the wound were discussed as well as the need for near real-time assessment of bacterial and fungal burden and further means of prevention and treatment of biofilm formation and the importance of animal models to test therapies discussed. Moderators and lecturers of focus groups noted the continuing need for improved prehospital care in the management of junctional injuries, identified optimal strategies for both surgical repair and/or reconstruction of the ligaments in multiligamentous injuries, and noted the need to mitigate bone mineral density loss following amputation and/or limb salvage as well as the necessity of developing better methods of anticipating and managing heterotopic ossification.

The last days: The medical response of United States and allied military teams during the Afghanistan Exodus.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study is to describe the United States and allied military medical response during the withdrawal from Afghanistan. BACKGROUND: The military withdrawal from Afghanistan concluded with severe hostilities resulting in numerous civilian and military casualties. The clinical care provided by coalition forces capitalized on decades of lessons learned and enabled unprecedented accomplishments. METHODS: In this retrospective, observational analysis, casualty numbers, and operative information was collected and reported from military medical assets in Kabul, Afghanistan. The continuum of medical care and the trauma system, from the point of injury back to the United States was captured and described. RESULTS: Prior to a large suicide bombing resulting in a mass casualty event, the international medical teams managed distinct 45 trauma incidents involving nearly 200 combat and non-combat civilian and military patients over the preceding 3 months. Military medical personnel treated 63 casualties from the Kabul airport suicide attack and performed 15 trauma operations. US air transport teams evacuated 37 patients within 15 hours of the attack. CONCLUSION: Lessons learned from the last 20 years of combat casualty care were successfully implemented during the culmination of the Afghanistan conflict. Ultimately, the effort, teamwork, and system adaptability exemplify not only the attitudes and character of service members who provide modern combat casualty care but also the paramount importance of the battlefield learning health care system. A continued posture to maintain military surgical preparedness in unique environments remain crucial as the US military prepares for the future.Retrospective observational analysis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic/Care Management; Level V.

Dismounted complex blast injuries: patterns of injuries and resource utilization associated with the multiple extremity amputee.

The objective of this report is to analyze the resource utilization and injury patterns of complex dismounted blast injuries. A retrospective review of U.S. service members injured in combat between 2007 and 2010 was conducted. Data analyzed included age, injury mechanism, amputated limbs, number and type of associated injuries, blood products utilized, intensive care unit length of stay (ILOS), hospital length of stay (HLOS) and the Injury Severity Score (ISS). Patients were stratified based on the number of amputations. Sixty-three patients comprised the multiple extremity amputation (MEA) group. Ninety-eight percent sustained injuries from an improvised explosive device (IED) and 96% were dismounted. The ISS, number of surgical encounters, blood products utilized and ILOS were all clinically significantly different than controls. Care of multiple extremity amputees involves the utilization of significant resources. This knowledge may better help surgeons and administrators allocate assets at hospitals, both military and civilian, who care for this complex and challenging patient population.

Combat-related hemipelvectomy.

Traumatic and trauma-related hemipelvectomies are rare and severe life-threatening injuries. Rapid hemostasis, early aggressive resuscitation, amputation completion, and wound debridement are the mainstays of initial treatment. Second-look debridements and delayed wound closure are mandatory. A multidisciplinary team is necessary in order to treat associated injuries as well assist with eventual rehabilitation. Adherence to specific treatment tenants outlined herein may minimize mortality and secondary morbidity, improving patient outcomes following these devastating injuries.

The impact of COVID-19 restrictions on participant enrollment in the PREPARE trial.

Background: At the initiation of the COVID-19 pandemic, restrictions forced researchers to decide whether to continue their ongoing clinical trials. The PREPARE (Pragmatic Randomized Trial Evaluating Pre-Operative Alcohol Skin Solutions in Fractured Extremities) trial is a pragmatic cluster-randomized crossover trial in patients with open and closed fractures. PREPARE was enrolling over 200 participants per month at the initiation of the pandemic. We aim to describe how the COVID-19 research restrictions affected participant enrollment. Methods: The PREPARE protocol permitted telephone consent, however, sites were obtaining consent in-person. To continue enrollment after the initiation of the restrictions participating sites obtained ethics approval for telephone consent scripts and the waiver of a signature on the consent form. We recorded the number of sites that switched to telephone consent, paused enrollment, and the length of the pause. We used t-tests to compare the differences in monthly enrollment between July 2019 and November 2020. Results: All 19 sites quickly implement telephone consent. Fourteen out of nineteen (73.6%) sites paused enrollment due to COVID-19 restrictions. The median length of enrollment pause was 46.5 days (range, 7-121 days; interquartile range, 61 days). The months immediately following the implementation of restrictions had significantly lower enrollment. Conclusion: A pragmatic design allowed sites to quickly adapt their procedures for obtaining informed consent via telephone and allowed for minimal interruptions to enrollment during the pandemic.

Pure Superior Wall Acetabular Fracture: A Rare Posterior Wall Variant.

CASE: We present a case of a pure superior wall acetabular fracture in an US soldier, caused by a collapsing wall. Although Letournel and Judet classified this pattern as a rare variant of a posterior-superior wall acetabular fracture, it shares features of several patterns and the treatment more closely follows that of the anterior-based elementary patterns. CONCLUSION: The mechanism, incidence, and long-term outcomes of this fracture remain unknown, but improved recognition and proper classification may help to guide treatment. This case highlights 1 patient with this unique pattern and outlines its management and short- to mid-term outcome.

Pain, Depression, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Following Major Extremity Trauma Among United States Military Serving in Iraq and Afghanistan: Results From the Military Extremity Trauma and Amputation/Limb Salvage Study.

OBJECTIVES: Assess the burden and co-occurrence of pain, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among service members who sustained a major limb injury, and examine whether these conditions are associated with functional outcomes. DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Four U.S. military treatment facilities: Walter Reed Army Medical Center, National Naval Medical Center, Brooke Army Medical Center, and Naval Medical Center San Diego. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: Four hundred twenty-nine United States service members who sustained a major limb injury while serving in Afghanistan or Iraq met eligibility criteria upon review of their medical records. INTERVENTION: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Outcomes assessed were: function using the short musculoskeletal functional assessment; PTSD using the PTSD Checklist and diagnostic and statistical manual criteria; pain using the chronic pain grade scale. RESULTS: Military extremity trauma and amputation/limb salvage patients without pain, depression, or PTSD, were, on average, about one minimally clinically important difference (MCID) from age- and gender-adjusted population norms. In contrast, patients with low levels of pain and no depression or PTSD were, on average, one to 2 MCIDs from population norms. Military extremity trauma and amputation/limb salvage patients with either greater levels of pain, and who experience PTSD, depression, or both, were 4 to 6 MCIDs from population norms. Regression analyses adjusting for injury type (upper or lower limb, salvage or amputation, and unilateral or bilateral), age, time to interview, military rank, presence of a major upper limb injury, social support, presence of mild traumatic brain injury/concussion, and combat experiences showed that higher levels of pain, depression, and PTSD were associated with lower one-year functional outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Major limb trauma sustained in the military results in significant long-term pain and PTSD. Overall, the results are consistent with the hypothesis that pain, depression, and PTSD are associated with disability in this population. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Implementing stakeholder engagement to explore alternative models of consent: An example from the PREP-IT trials.

INTRODUCTION: Cluster randomized crossover trials are often faced with a dilemma when selecting an optimal model of consent, as the traditional model of obtaining informed consent from participant's before initiating any trial related activities may not be suitable. We describe our experience of engaging patient advisors to identify an optimal model of consent for the PREP-IT trials. This paper also examines surrogate measures of success for the selected model of consent. METHODS: The PREP-IT program consists of two multi-center cluster randomized crossover trials that engaged patient advisors to determine an optimal model of consent. Patient advisors and stakeholders met regularly and reached consensus on decisions related to the trial design including the model for consent. Patient advisors provided valuable insight on how key decisions on trial design and conduct would be received by participants and the impact these decisions will have. RESULTS: Patient advisors, together with stakeholders, reviewed the pros and cons and the requirements for the traditional model of consent, deferred consent, and waiver of consent. Collectively, they agreed upon a deferred consent model, in which patients may be approached for consent after their fracture surgery and prior to data collection. The consent rate in PREP-IT is 80.7%, and 0.67% of participants have withdrawn consent for participation. DISCUSSION: Involvement of patient advisors in the development of an optimal model of consent has been successful. Engagement of patient advisors is recommended for other large trials where the traditional model of consent may not be optimal.

Extrapolation of battlefield resuscitative care to the civilian setting.

Experiences in treating wartime casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan have already led to changes in civilian trauma care practices. While advances in the care of civilian musculoskeletal injuries are likely as a result of ongoing military basic and clinical research, major advances in resuscitative care have already been realized. Early liberal use of tourniquets to control bleeding from combat-associated extremity trauma has led to decreased mortality. Military experience has demonstrated that use of temporary intravascular shunts is effective for mitigating ischemic injury from vascular trauma until definitive repair can be accomplished. Hemostatic dressings have improved the surgeon's hemorrhage control armamentarium. Clinical experience with hypotensive resuscitation has led to refinement and improvement in the technique. Use of recombinant factor VIIa has improved hemorrhage control in the context of brain injury and coagulopathy and increasing the ratio of plasma to red cells during early shock resuscitation has improved survival.

Reliability of the Walter Reed Classification for Heterotopic Ossification Severity in Amputees.

OBJECTIVE: At this time, there is no validated tool for describing heterotopic ossification (HO) severity or measuring efficacy of therapies after amputation. This study aims to validate the Walter Reed classification system for reliable characterization of HO burden in residual limbs. DESIGN: Descriptive, Level IV. SETTING: US Military Trauma Referral Center. STUDY POPULATION: Five orthopaedic surgeon raters with varying experience levels assessed orthogonal radiographs of 100 randomly selected residual upper and lower limbs after combat-related amputation. INTERVENTION: A standardized education session on the Walter Reed HO classification system followed by 2 grading sessions, separated by a 2-week waiting period. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Scores were analyzed for interobserver and intraobserver reliability using weighted Cohen's kappa, intraclass correlation coefficient, and Krippendorff's alpha for ordinal variables. RESULTS: After the waiting period, 89% of HO was rated the same by observers with an intraobserver kappa = 0.83 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.75-0.92). Interobserver reliability was evaluated using group-wise comparison among observers, resulting in an overall Krippendorff's alpha = 0.78 (95% CI 0.76-0.80). Using intraclass correlation coefficient, interrater consistency was 0.94 (95% CI 0.91-0.96). CONCLUSIONS: The Walter Reed HO classification system is substantially reliable for use by raters with any level of orthopaedic training. In addition, it is reliable for evaluation of both through bone and disarticulation type amputations in the upper and lower extremities. However, in 11% of cases, a secondary read may vary, suggesting that this system is useful for understanding HO and developing interventions but may benefit from further refinement, including advanced imaging and clinical correlation.

Internal Fixation Versus Arthroplasty for the Treatment of Nondisplaced Femoral Neck Fractures in the Elderly: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the outcomes of elderly patients with nondisplaced and minimally displaced femoral neck fractures treated with internal fixation versus arthroplasty. DATA SOURCES: A comprehensive search of the MEDLINE, Embase, and central databases was conducted through June 25, 2019. STUDY SELECTION: Studies were included if the sample population was (1) 60 years of age or older, (2) had nondisplaced or minimally displaced (Garden I or II) femoral neck fractures, and (3) if the study compared internal fixation versus arthroplasty. Only full-text English manuscripts were included. The primary outcome was reoperation. Secondary outcomes included mortality, patient-reported outcomes, length of hospital stay, infection, and blood transfusions. DATA EXTRACTION: Two authors independently extracted data from the included studies. Each study was independently evaluated for quality using the Cochrane risk of bias assessment. DATA SYNTHESIS: Of the 1597 identified articles, 4 manuscripts met the eligibility criteria with a total of 579 patients (236 treated with hemiarthroplasty and 343 treated with internal fixation). Patients treated with arthroplasty had a significantly lower risk of reoperation when compared with those treated with internal fixation [relative risk: 0.30 (95% CI, 0.16-0.55, P < 0.01)]. There was no significant difference detected in 1-year mortality risk between the 2 treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: In elderly patients with nondisplaced and minimally displaced femoral neck fractures, treatment with hemiarthroplasty may reduce the relative risk of reoperation by 70% when compared with internal fixation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Synchronous Multifocal Necrotizing Fasciitis: A Case Report.

CASE: An immunocompetent 43-year-old man was diagnosed with necrotizing fasciitis of his forearm. Despite receiving appropriate treatment, his clinical condition continued to deteriorate. Further evaluation revealed subsequent proliferation of the infection to multiple noncontiguous areas of the body consistent with a rare condition known as synchronous multifocal necrotizing fasciitis. Prompt identification, followed by serial debridements of all affected areas, ultimately saved the patient's life. CONCLUSION: This unusual multifocal presentation of necrotizing fasciitis can produce diagnostic uncertainty and delay life-saving treatment. Early recognition, followed by prompt treatment, is paramount for reducing morbidity and mortality associated with this devastating infection.

Effectiveness of Iodophor vs Chlorhexidine Solutions for Surgical Site Infections and Unplanned Reoperations for Patients Who Underwent Fracture Repair: The PREP-IT Master Protocol.

Importance: The risk of developing a surgical site infection after extremity fracture repair is nearly 5 times greater than in most elective orthopedic surgical procedures. For all surgical procedures, it is standard practice to prepare the operative site with an antiseptic solution; however, there is limited evidence to guide the choice of solution used for orthopedic fracture repair. Objective: To compare the effectiveness of iodophor vs chlorhexidine solutions to reduce surgical site infections and unplanned fracture-related reoperations for patients who underwent fracture repair. Design, Setting, and Participants: The PREP-IT (Program of Randomized Trials to Evaluate Pre-operative Antiseptic Skin Solutions in Orthopaedic Trauma) master protocol will be followed to conduct 2 multicenter pragmatic cluster randomized crossover trials, Aqueous-PREP (Pragmatic Randomized Trial Evaluating Pre-Operative Aqueous Antiseptic Skin Solution in Open Fractures) and PREPARE (Pragmatic Randomized Trial Evaluating Pre-Operative Alcohol Skin Solutions in Fractured Extremities). The Aqueous-PREP trial will compare 4% aqueous chlorhexidine vs 10% povidone-iodine for patients with open extremity fractures. The PREPARE trial will compare 2% chlorhexidine in 70% isopropyl alcohol vs 0.7% iodine povacrylex in 74% isopropyl alcohol for patients with open extremity fractures and patients with closed lower extremity or pelvic fractures. Both trials will share key aspects of study design and trial infrastructure. The studies will follow a pragmatic cluster randomized crossover design with alternating treatment periods of approximately 2 months. The primary outcome will be surgical site infection and the secondary outcome will be unplanned fracture-related reoperations within 12 months. The Aqueous-PREP trial will enroll a minimum of 1540 patients with open extremity fractures from at least 12 hospitals; PREPARE will enroll a minimum of 1540 patients with open extremity fractures and 6280 patients with closed lower extremity and pelvic fractures from at least 18 hospitals. The primary analyses will adhere to the intention-to-treat principle and account for potential between-cluster and between-period variability. The patient-centered design, implementation, and dissemination of results are guided by a multidisciplinary team that includes 3 patients and other relevant stakeholders. Discussion: The PREP-IT master protocol increases efficiency through shared trial infrastructure and study design components. Because prophylactic skin antisepsis is used prior to all surgical procedures and the application, cost, and availability of all study solutions are similar, the results of the PREP-IT trials are poised to inform clinical guidelines and bring about an immediate change in clinical practice. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifiers: NCT03385304 and NCT03523962.

Risk factors for decreased range of motion and poor outcomes in open periarticular elbow fractures.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to identify risk factors present at the time of injury that predict poor functional outcomes and heterotopic ossification (HO) in open periarticular elbow fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of 136 combat-related open elbow fractures from 2003 to 2010. Patient demographics, injury characteristics, treatment variables, and complications were recorded. Functional outcomes were analyzed to determine range of motion (ROM) and Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS). Secondary outcome measures included the development of HO, return to duty, and revision operation. RESULTS: At a median 2.7 years from injury the median MEPS was 67.8 (range 30-100) with an average ulnohumeral arc motion of 89°. Bipolar fractures, with periarticular fractures on both sides of the elbow and at least one side containing intra-articular extension, were independently associated with decreased ulnohumeral motion (p=0.02) and decreased MEPS (p<0.004). Additional independent risk factors for decreased ROM included more severe osseous comminution (p=0.001), and increased time to definitive fixation (p=0.03) and HO (p=0.02). More severe soft tissue injury (Gustilo and Anderson fracture type, p=0.02), peripheral nerve injury (p=0.04), and HO (p=0.03) were independently associated with decreased MEPS. HO developed in 65% (89/136) of extremities and was associated with more severe Orthopaedic Trauma Association (OTA) fracture type (p=0.01) and escalating Gustilo and Anderson fracture classification (p=0.049). CONCLUSIONS: In the largest series of open elbow fractures, we identified risk factors that portend a poor clinical outcome and decreased ROM. Bipolar elbow fractures, which have not previously been associated with worse results, are particularly prone to decreased ROM and worse outcomes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic level IV.

A prospective, randomized evaluation of arthroscopic stabilization versus nonoperative treatment in patients with acute, traumatic, first-time shoulder dislocations.

BACKGROUND: Nonoperative treatment of traumatic shoulder dislocations leads to a high rate of recurrent dislocations. HYPOTHESIS: Early arthroscopic treatment for shoulder dislocation will result in a lower recurrence rate than nonoperative treatment. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, randomized clinical trial. METHODS: Two groups of patients were studied to compare nonoperative treatment with arthroscopic Bankart repair for acute, traumatic shoulder dislocations in young athletes. Fourteen nonoperatively treated patients underwent 4 weeks of immobilization followed by a supervised rehabilitation program. Ten operatively treated patients underwent arthroscopic Bankart repair with a bioabsorbable tack followed by the same rehabilitation protocol as the nonoperatively treated patients. The average follow-up was 36 months. RESULTS: Three patients were lost to follow-up. Twelve nonoperatively treated patients remained for follow-up. Nine of these (75%) developed recurrent instability. Six of the nine have required subsequent open Bankart repair for recurrent instability. Of the nine operatively treated patients available for follow-up, only one (11.1%) developed recurrent instability. CONCLUSIONS: Arthroscopic stabilization of traumatic, first-time anterior shoulder dislocations is an effective and safe treatment that significantly reduces the recurrence rate of shoulder dislocations in young athletes when compared with conventional, nonoperative treatment.

Is time to flap coverage of open tibial fractures an independent predictor of flap-related complications?

OBJECTIVES: The importance of the timing of flap coverage of open tibial shaft fractures remains controversial. Many studies have shown increased complications and infection rates associated with delay in coverage but have not controlled for risk factors that might be associated with both delay in coverage and complications. We hypothesized that the timing of flap coverage of open tibial fractures is not predictive of complications after controlling for known risk factors. DESIGN: Retrospective review. SETTING: Level I trauma center. PATIENTS: Sixty-nine patients treated for acute tibial fractures (45 tibial shaft, 17 plateau, and 12 pilon fractures) at our center from 2004 through 2009 required 74 flaps. Patients requiring flaps later for wound breakdown or infection were excluded. INTERVENTION: Electronic records and prospective trauma database were reviewed. All fractures were AO classified by a trauma fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeon. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Primary outcome was flap complication, defined as infection or other flap-related adverse outcome requiring surgical treatment. Logistic regression analysis was conducted. RESULTS: A logistic regression model that separated the first 7 days after injury from subsequent days found no increased risk for days 1 through 7. The odds of complications, and of infection in particular, increased by 11% and 16%, respectively, for each day beyond day 7 (P < 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Even after controlling for known risk factors for complications, including injury severity, time to flap coverage was a significant predictor of complications. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

The evolution of damage control orthopedics: current evidence and practical applications of early appropriate care.

This article summarizes the evolution of literature and practice related to fracture care in polytrauma patients. Particular emphasis is given to the management of femoral shaft fractures and the concept of damage control in these complex patients. The application of these guidelines in common clinical practice is also discussed.