Controversias en fracturas de tobillo: ¿es diferente la visión del especialista en pie y tobillo? / Ankle fracture controversies: do the foot and ankle specialists have a different vision?

Objetivo. Analizar las diferencias en el manejo de las fracturas de tobillo entre cirujanos ortopédicos/traumatólogos y especialistas en enfermedad de pie y tobillo. Material y método. Se realizó una encuesta vía correo electrónico que planteaba cuestiones controvertidas a propósito del análisis de 5 casos clínicos de diferentes fracturas de tobillo a cirujanos ortopédicos del país. Resultados. Setenta y dos cirujanos respondieron la encuesta (tasa de respuesta del 24,2%): 37 especialistas en pie y tobillo y 35 cirujanos ortopédicos no especialistas. En el caso de la fractura trimaleolar, el 40,5% de los especialistas solicitarían una tomografía computarizada frente al 14% de los no especialistas (p=0,01). El 94% de todos los que respondieron sintetizaría el maléolo posterior; el 91% de los no especialistas, con tornillos vía anteroposterior, mientras que el 43% de los especialistas utilizarían la vía posteroanterior, bien con placa o con tornillos (p=0,006). No se hallaron diferencias entre grupos en el tratamiento de las lesiones sindesmales (p>0,05). En las fracturas transindesmales (B de Weber) con signos de inestabilidad medial, el 54% de los no especialistas revisarían el ligamento lateral interno frente a solo el 32% de los especialistas (p=0,06). Conclusiones. Los especialistas en pie y tobillo solicitan más pruebas complementarias para el diagnóstico de las fracturas de tobillo. A su vez, utilizan una mayor diversidad de técnicas quirúrgicas en la síntesis de los maléolos posterior (vía posterior-placas) y medial (cerclajes). Por último, indican una menor tasa de revisión del ligamento lateral interno (AU)

Objective. To analyse the differences in the management of ankle fractures between orthopaedic/trauma surgeons and foot and ankle specialists. Material and method. An e-mail survey was performed asking some of the country's orthopaedic surgeons controversial questions regarding the analysis of 5 clinical cases of different ankle fractures. Results. Seventy-two surgeons responded to the questionnaire (response rate of 24.2%): 37 foot and ankle specialists and 35 non-specialist orthopaedic surgeons. For trimalleolar fracture, 40.5% of the specialists would request a computed tomography scan compared to 14% of the non-specialists (P=.01). Ninety-four percent of all the respondents would synthesise the posterior malleolus; 91% of the non-specialists would use an antero-posterior approach, either with a plate or with screws (P=.006). No differences were found between groups in the treatment of syndesmotic injuries (P>.05). For trans-syndesmotic fracture (Weber B) with signs of medial instability, 54% of the non-specialists would revise the internal lateral ligament compared to only 32% of the specialists (P=.06). Conclusions. The foot and ankle specialists ask for more complementary tests to diagnose ankle fractures. In turn, they use a greater diversity of surgical techniques in synthesis of the posterior malleolus (posterior plate) and the medial malleolus (cerclage wires). Finally, they indicated a lower revision rate of the internal lateral ligament (AU)

Ankle fracture controversies: Do the foot and ankle specialists have a different vision? / Controversias en fracturas de tobillo: ¿es diferente la visión del especialista en pie y tobillo?

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the differences in the management of ankle fractures between orthopaedic/trauma surgeons and foot and ankle specialists. MATERIAL AND METHOD: An e-mail survey was performed asking some of the country's orthopaedic surgeons controversial questions regarding the analysis of 5 clinical cases of different ankle fractures. RESULTS: Seventy-two surgeons responded to the questionnaire (response rate of 24.2%): 37 foot and ankle specialists and 35 non-specialist orthopaedic surgeons. For trimalleolar fracture, 40.5% of the specialists would request a computed tomography scan compared to 14% of the non-specialists (P=.01). Ninety-four percent of all the respondents would synthesise the posterior malleolus; 91% of the non-specialists would use an antero-posterior approach, either with a plate or with screws (P=.006). No differences were found between groups in the treatment of syndesmotic injuries (P>.05). For trans-syndesmotic fracture (Weber B) with signs of medial instability, 54% of the non-specialists would revise the internal lateral ligament compared to only 32% of the specialists (P=.06). CONCLUSIONS: The foot and ankle specialists ask for more complementary tests to diagnose ankle fractures. In turn, they use a greater diversity of surgical techniques in synthesis of the posterior malleolus (posterior plate) and the medial malleolus (cerclage wires). Finally, they indicated a lower revision rate of the internal lateral ligament.