Diagnostic Performance of a telephone questionnaire for fracture-related infections (FRIs) in open tibia fracture patients in Tanzania.

INTRODUCTION: Fracture-related infections (FRIs) are a major cause of trauma-associated morbidity worldwide. In 2018, an expert group supported by the AO Foundation, European Bone and Joint Infection Society developed a consensus definition of FRI. Still, there is limited knowledge on the applicability of this definition in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Given the unique barriers that cause low follow-up rates for orthopaedic trauma patients in LMICs, this study aims to evaluate the diagnostic performance of a telephone questionnaire in identifying patients with FRIs after open tibia fracture fixation in Tanzania. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients from a randomized controlled trial investigating the infection prevention benefit of locally applied gentamycin for open tibial fractures were included. Patients completed FRI based telephone questionnaires 7-10 days prior to scheduled follow-ups at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, and 1 year. The questionnaire included two "confirmatory" criteria questions for FRI (i.e., open wound and purulent drainage) and three "suggestive" criteria questions (i.e., wound drainage, fever, and warmth). Contingency tests were performed to identify the sensitivity and specificity between answers and adjudicated FRI diagnoses at the corresponding in-person follow-up. Data was analysed using STATA version 15.0 and MedCalc's online diagnostic test calculator. RESULTS: There were a total of 234 complete questionnaires and 85 unique patients included. The sensitivity and specificity of having any positive answer in the questionnaire was highest at 6 months (100 % and 92.5 %, respectively). For all time-points pooled, sensitivity was 71.4 % and specificity was 93.0 %. Drainage had the highest sensitivity (71.4 %) while fever had the highest specificity (99.6 %). For confirmatory criteria, sensitivity was 14.3 % and specificity was 96.0 %. Contrastingly, the sensitivity for suggestive criteria was higher (71.4 %), with a similar specificity (93.8 %). CONCLUSION: Our study indicates that telephone questionnaires have adequate diagnostic performance when assessing FRIs. The presence of drainage identified the majority of patients with FRI, and specificities were high across confirmatory and suggestive criteria. Our study is one of the first to evaluate telephone questionnaires as a diagnostic tool for FRIs in patients with open tibia fractures in a LMIC hospital and validates the FRI consensus definition criteria.

Does the OTA Open Fracture Classification Align With the Gustilo-Anderson Classification? A Study of 2215 Open Fractures.

OBJECTIVES: To characterize the Orthopaedic Trauma Association Open Fracture Classification (OTA-OFC) and Gustilo-Anderson classification of open extremity fractures and determine if there is meaningful alignment between these grading systems. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. SETTING: Level I academic trauma center. PATIENT SELECTION CRITERIA: Adult patients with at least 1 operatively treated open extremity fracture and surgeon-assigned OTA-OFC and Gustilo-Anderson classification. OUTCOME MEASURES AND COMPARISONS: Frequency, distribution, and association measures of OTA-OFC category scores and Gustilo-Anderson classification types. RESULTS: Two thousand twenty-seven patients (mean age, 43.1 ± 17.5 years) with 2215 fractures were included. Gustilo-Anderson type I or II fractures (n = 961; 43%) most frequently had the least severe scores for all OTA-OFC categories. Type IIIA fractures (n = 978; 44%) were most often assigned intermediate scores for OTA-OFC Bone Loss (n = 564; 58%). Type IIIB fractures (n = 204, 9%) were most often assigned intermediate OTA-OFC Skin scores (n = 120; 59%). Type IIIC fractures (n = 72; 3%) were most often assigned the most severe OTA-OFC Arterial score (n = 60; 83%). In the multivariable model, OTA-OFC Contamination scores showed little association (ß = 0.05; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.01-0.09) with Gustilo-Anderson classification severity. Conversely, higher OTA-OFC Arterial (ß = 0.50; 95% CI 0.44-0.56) and Skin (ß = 0.46; 95% CI, 0.40-0.51) scores were strongly associated with more severe Gustilo-Anderson classifications. CONCLUSIONS: OTA-OFC Contamination scores were weakly associated with Gustilo-Anderson classification severity for open fractures. The study findings suggest that the current Gustilo-Anderson classification does not adequately account for injury contamination, a known predictor of infection. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Diagnostic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

A Simple Scoring Model for Evaluation of Concomitant Vascular Injuries in Patients with Lower Extremity Open Fractures.

BACKGROUND: Timely diagnosis and management of concomitant vascular injuries is usually needed for the management of lower extremity open fractures. In the current study, a prediction model and simplified scoring system of vascular injuries were developed for the primary evaluation of patients with lower extremity open fractures. METHODS: Patients with lower extremity open fractures were retrospectively reviewed from 2017 to 2020. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate independent risk factors for concomitant vascular injuries in these patients using data collected from 2017 through 2019 and a prediction scoring model was created accordingly. Model performance was validated with data from 2020. RESULTS: In total, 949 patients with lower extremity open fractures (development cohort, 705 patients, 2017 through 2019; validation cohort, 244 patients, 2020) were enrolled. Concomitant vascular injuries occurred in 44 patients in the development cohort (6.2%). Three clinical variables were identified for a prediction scoring model with weighted points, including hard or soft vascular signs (3 points), segmental fractures (2 points), and degloving soft-tissue injury (1 point). The model showed good discrimination (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.928), calibration (Hosmer-Lemeshow test, P = 0.661), and precision (Brier score, 0.041). Subsequent management regarding different aspects (observation only, further imaging study, or direct surgical exploration) can thus be decided. The model also demonstrated good discrimination (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.949), good calibration (Hosmer-Lemeshow test, P = 0.174), and good precision (Brier score, 0.042) in the validation cohort. CONCLUSION: This model may guide the subsequent management of vascular injuries associated with lower extremity open fractures. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Risk, III.

Tratamiento de pseudoartrosis séptica de tibia secundaria a fractura expuesta. A propósito de un caso / Treatment of tibia septic pseudo arthritis secondary to exposed fracture. Apropos of a case

RESUMEN Las fracturas expuestas de tibia han sido uno de los problemas más importantes para los sistemas de atención en salud pública. Se caracterizan por tres factores de riesgo fundamentales: daño óseo y tejidos blandos, gran posibilidad de contaminación y dificultades para el tratamiento conservador y quirúrgico, debido al daño óseo y de partes blandas asociados, que implica un alto índice de complicaciones. El tratamiento de estas fracturas es un tema ampliamente discutido en cuanto a la técnica quirúrgica a utilizar. Debido la pobre vascularización y poca cantidad de tejidos blandos que cubren la tibia, este hueso es muy vulnerable a la pseudoartrosis y a la infección. El objetivo de este trabajo fue describir la técnica quirúrgica de transportación ósea con fijador externo Ilizarov y evaluar el resultado en defectos óseos de tibia de más de 6 cm, secundario a pseudoartrosis infectada. Como resultado, el paciente evolucionó con una pseudoartrosis séptica de tibia derecha secundaria a fractura expuesta. El seguimiento fue de 18 meses, la pérdida ósea de 6 cm, la velocidad de distracción de 1 mm/día, el período de transportación de 95 días, y el tiempo con fijador de 198 días. Fue necesario realizar un nuevo proceder quirúrgico en el sitio de contacto, con vistas a reavivar los extremos óseos. La transportación ósea con fijador Ilizarov es válida para el tratamiento de la pérdida ósea en fracturas expuestas de tibia o pseudoartrosis séptica (AU).

ABSTRACT Exposed tibia fractures have been one of the most important problems for public health care systems. They are characterized by three main risk factors: bone and soft tissue damage, high possibilities of contamination and difficulties for the surgical and conservative treatment, due to the associated bone and soft tissues damage implying a high rate of complications. The treatment of these fractures is a widely discussed topic regarding the surgical technique to be used. Due to poor vascularization and little quantity of soft tissue covering tibia, this bone is highly vulnerable to pseudoarthritis and infection. The aim of this work was to describe the surgical technique of bone transport with Ilizarov external fixator and to evaluate the result in tibial bone defects of more than 6 cm, secondary to infected pseudoarthritis. As a result, the patient evolved with septic pseudoarthritis of right tibia secondary to exposed fracture. The follow up lasted 18 months; the bone loss was 6 cm; the distraction speed was 1 mm/day; the transportation period was 95 days and the time with fixator was 198 days. It was necessary to perform a new surgical procedure at the contact site to recuperate the bone ends. Bone transport with Ilizarov fixator is valid for the bone loss treatment in tibia exposed fractures or septic pseudo arthritis (AU).

Lesión traumática expuesta, compleja y grave de tibia, tratada con fijador externo Álvarez Cambras / Exposed, complex and severe traumatic injury of the tibia treated with Alvarez Cambra external fixation

RESUMEN Con el paulatino incremento de accidentes automovilísticos, de trabajo, y la violencia urbana, las fracturas expuestas y complejas constituyen traumatismos de creciente incidencia y de difícil solución, con largos períodos de convalecencia que ponen en peligro la vida o la conservación del miembro lesionado. Un gran número de ellas dejan secuelas invalidantes. Existen varios tratamientos, entre ellos la fijación externa, utilizando el sistema creado por el profesor Rodrigo Álvarez Cambras, con varias ventajas que proporcionan una mejor evolución. Se realizó este trabajo con el objetivo de mostrar la evolución y los resultados de un paciente ingresado y operado con el diagnóstico de lesión expuesta, compleja y grave de la extremidad inferior, específicamente de tibia. Este presentó varias complicaciones, por lo que se le colocó un aparato de osteosíntesis de fijación externa Álvarez Cambras en el Hospital Provincial Clínico Quirúrgico Docente José Ramón López Tabrane, de Matanzas (AU).

ABSTRACT With the gradual increase of automobile and work accidents as well as urban violence, exposed and complex fractures are traumas of increasing incidence and difficult solution, with long periods of convalescence that endanger the life or the conservation of the injured member. A large number of them leave invalidating sequels. There are several treatments, including external fixation using the system created by Professor Rodrigo Alvarez Cambra, with several advantages that provide a better evolution. The current work was carried out with the objective of showing the evolution and results of a patient who entered the Teaching Provincial Clinical-surgical Hospital Jose Ramon Lopez Tabrane, of Matanzas, and underwent a surgery with the diagnosis of exposed, complex and serious lesion in the lower limb, specifically of tibia. The patient had several complications and so he was put an Alvarez Cambra external fixation osteosynthesis devise (AU).

Analysis of machete cut fractures in Nigerian civilian trauma setting.

Machete cut fracture is an important component of morbidity associated with machete injuries although it is under reported. This was a retrospective study to assess machete cut fractures in patients seen in Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki and National Orthopaedic Hospital Enugu from 2009 to 2018. There were 91 patients with 154 fractures, male- to- female ratio was 10:1 and mean age was 31.6 ± 14.6 years. The aetiological factors were assault (57, 62.6%), armed robbery (29, 31.9%) and accidental injury (5, 5.5%). The three top bones involved were ulna, metacarpal and finger-phalanx. Fracture was communited in (17, 11.0%), and Gustilo Anderson grade IIIC in (22, 14.3%). Injury to hospital arrival interval later than 6 h was common and correlated with prolonged length of hospital stay (p < 0.001). Anaemia, wound infection and hemorrhagic shock were the three top complications. Nine (5.8%) fractures ended in extremity amputation. Eleven (12.1%) patients left against medical advice, and 5 (5.5%) were transferred. Normal union in 98.3% of the fractures treated and followed up for a minimum of one year. Case fatality rate was 2.2%; none of the patient that died had pre hospital care, and hemorrhagic shock accounted for all the mortality. These call for appropriate injury preventive mechanisms, and improved rates of early presentation of patients to hospital, and pre hospital care.

Control de daños ortopédicos en pacientes politraumatizados pediátricos. Hospital Pediátrico "Eliseo Noel Caamaño" / Control of orthopedic damages in pediatric politraumatized patients. Pediatric Hospital "Eliseo Noel Caamaño"

RESUMEN Introducción: el control de daños en Ortopedia es aplazar la reparación definitiva de lesiones traumáticas, con el objetivo de la recuperación fisiológica deteriorada por lesiones y/o complicaciones que pueden poner en peligro la vida, realizando entonces procedimientos quirúrgicos sencillos, como una estabilización quirúrgica externa de las fracturas. Objetivo: determinar el comportamiento del control de daños ortopédicos en politraumatizados pediátricos. Materiales y método: se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptivo, prospectivo, de corte transversal, de enero del 2015 a diciembre del 2018. El universo estuvo constituido por 22 pacientes menores de 19 años de edad, politraumatizados en el período; la muestra por 15 pacientes, a los que se les aplicó control de daños ortopédicos, según criterios de selección. Resultados: se aplicó control de daños ortopédicos a 15 infantes. El más afectado fue el sexo masculino con el 73,3 %. Prevalecieron los traumatismos de los miembros inferiores con el 58,3 % y las fracturas cerradas con un 53,8 %. La osteomielitis crónica fue la complicación que predominó, en el 20 % de la muestra. En el 73,3 % de los casos se evaluó como satisfactoria la aplicación del control de daños ortopédicos en los politraumatizados. Conclusiones: a la totalidad de los traumatizados se le aplicó control de daños ortopédicos. Predominó el sexo masculino y el grupo de edad de 9 -14 años. Los miembros inferiores aportan la mayor cantidad con el fémur y la tibia. El control de daños ortopédicos se evaluó satisfactoriamente en la mayoría de los pacientes estudiados (AU).

ABSTRAC Introduction: the control of damages in Orthopedics is to postpone the definitive repair of traumatic lesions, with the objective of the physiologic recovery deteriorated by lesions and/or complications that can put in danger the life, carrying out simple surgical procedures, like an external surgical stabilization of the fractures at that time. . Objective: to determine the behavior of the orthopedic damage control in pediatric politraumatized patients. Material and method: a cross-sectional, prospective, descriptive, observational study was carried out from January 2015 to December 2018. The universe was formed by 22 patients younger than 19 years politraumatized in the period and the sample formed 15 patients; they underwent orthopedic damage control, according to the selection criteria. Results: the orthopedic damage control, was applied to 15 children. Male sex was the most affected one. Trauma in the lower limbs with 58.3 % and closed fractures with 53.8 prevailed. The predominating complication was chronic poliomyelitis in 20 % of the sample. The orthopedic damage control in politraumatized patients was assessed as successful in 73.3 % of the cases. Conclusions: the orthopedic damage control was applied to the total of traumatized patients. The male sex and the 9-14 years-old age group predominated. Lower limbs contributed with the biggest quantity of trauma, in femur and tibia. The orthopedic damage control was assessed as successful in most of studied patients (AU).

Pediatric tibial shaft and distal metaphyseal fractures.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate the effects of associated factors like age, fracture level, accompanying fibular fractures and wound condition on healing by determining and comparing union scores of pediatric tibial fractures (PTFs). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-five patients with 46 PTFs (32 males, 13 females; mean age 9.5 years; range 2 to 16 years) who were treated by closed reduction and casting or operated between January 2016 and January 2019 were retrospectively evaluated. The union scores were evaluated at the end of fourth, sixth and eighth weeks and compared to each other. Effects of the age, associated fibular fractures, wound condition, fracture level and treatment type to union score were analyzed. RESULTS: Twenty-eight (60.9%) out of 46 PTFs had associated fibular fractures and 18 (39.1%) did not. Motor vehicle accident was the most frequent etiologic factor (47.8%). Thirty-four out of 46 fractures were closed tibial fractures (73.9%) and 12 had open wound (26.1%). There was a negative correlation between age and the union scores (p<0.001 for each week). No significant difference was observed between the union score of diaphyseal and metaphyseal fractures at the fourth, sixth, and eighth weeks. The union scores of each week were higher in the conservative group compared to operative group (p<0.001 for each week). Associated fibular fracture group had lower union scores compared to isolated tibial fracture group at fourth, sixth and eighth weeks. Likewise, the union scores of the open fracture group were lower than the closed fracture group (p<0.05 for each week). CONCLUSION: Associated fibular fractures, open fractures and aging negatively affect union scores of PTFs. Attention should be paid, particularly in these conditions, during the selection of the operation type and the follow-up period of PTFs.

[Current treatment strategies for lower leg fractures in adults]. / Aktuelle Versorgungsstrategien der Unterschenkelfraktur des Erwachsenen.

Shaft fractures of the tibia and fibula mainly affect younger patients and are therefore of great socioeconomic importance. Due to the high proportion of high-energy direct trauma mechanisms and the thin soft tissue covering layer of the ventromedian tibia, open factures occur in up to 39%. A structured diagnostic and therapeutic approach is essential for successful treatment. Reamed intramedullary nailing is currently the gold standard surgical procedure. The suprapatellar approach, representing an interesting alternative to the popular infrapatellar approach, postoperative complications, such as anterior knee pain as well as the management of non-unions are discussed in this article. Furthermore, the indications and the application of minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) and external fixators are described. Every trauma surgeon should be familiar with the etiology and the surgical treatment of compartment syndrome. A firm knowledge of the classifications of open and closed soft tissue injury is mandatory.

Tibial Nail Combined with Vacuum Sealing Drainage for Gustilo Grade IIIB Open Tibial Fractures: A Patient Series.

Gustilo grade IIIB open tibial fractures are relatively difficult to treat. We investigated the treatment effects of tibial intramedullary nails combined with vacuum sealing drainage (VSD) for Gustilo grade IIIB open tibial fractures. From March 2015 to March 2017, 13 cases of Gustilo grade IIIB open tibial fractures were treated with Expert Tibial Nails combined with VSD. Causes of injury included falls from a height (n = 9, 69.2%) and road accidents (n = 4, 30.8%). The duration from time of injury to hospital intake was 7.3 hours (range 5 to 9.5), and the time between injury and operation was 6.7 days (range 3 to 11). Six months after the operation, overall patient general health was investigated via the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle score and the physical and mental health dimensions of the Short-Form Health Survey 36 (SF-36). Postoperative complications and infections also were recorded. The results indicated that the median AOFAS score was 93.7 (range 89 to 97), with all individuals having either excellent (90 to 100; n = 10, 76.9%) or good (80 to 89; n = 3, 23.1%) outcomes. The median physical SF-36 score was 83.1 (range 72.5 to 93.0), and the median mental SF-36 score was 80.6 (range 69.7 to 92.0). Moreover, there were no instances of tibial shortening, neurovascular injury, postoperative complications, implant failure, malunion, or serious infections. In conclusion, intramedullary tibial nail combined with VSD is a safe and effective method to treat type grade IIIB open tibial fractures.

The Effects of Cross-Border Transport on Patients With Tibia Fractures.

BACKGROUND: Tibia fractures are common after trauma. Prior studies have shown that delays in treatment are associated with poor outcomes. A subpopulation of our patients are transported from Mexico, adding barriers to prompt care. We hypothesized that patients with tibia fractures crossing from Mexico would have delays in treatment and subsequently worse outcomes. METHODS: The trauma registry of an American College of Surgeons-verified level 1 trauma center was retrospectively reviewed for all tibia fractures admitted from 2010 to 2015. Data collection included demographics, country of injury, characterization of injuries, interventions, complications, and outcomes. Patients were subdivided into those injured in the United States and in Mexico, and the two groups were compared. RESULTS: A total of 498 patients were identified, 440 from the United States and 58 from Mexico. Mexico patients were more severely injured overall, with higher injury severity scores and a higher percentage of patients with abbreviated injury scale scores ≥3 for both head and chest regions. Mexico patients had longer times from injury to admission, as well as increased times to both debridement of open fractures and operative fixation after admission. On subgroup analysis of patients with isolated tibia fractures (other system abbreviated injury scale < 3), times from arrival to treatment and injury severity score were no longer statistically different. CONCLUSIONS: Patients crossing the border from Mexico with tibia fractures have delays in time to admission and from admission to operative management, although this is primarily due to other severe injuries. Ongoing systems development is required to minimize delays in care and optimize outcomes.

Does an antibiotic nail made in a lubricated tube release antibiotic?

INTRODUCTION: The treatment of long-bone osteomyelitis has long been a difficult problem. Recently, antibiotic-impregnated intramedullary rods for the treatment of infected long-bone fractures have been gaining popularity but they are quite difficult to fabricate. Recently, a new technique that utilizes mineral oil to coat the inside of a chest tube mold prior to introduction of cement has been proven to ease fabrication. We hypothesized that the use of mineral oil would alter the elution characteristics of tobramycin from the intramedullary device. METHODS: Two groups of antibiotic nails were fabricated under sterile conditions. The control group utilized a chest tube mold. The study group utilized a chest tube that was coated with mineral oil prior to cement injection. Each intramedullary nail was placed in pooled human serum and incubated under physiologic conditions. The level of tobramycin in each sample was measured at timepoints 0, 1, 6, and 24 h. RESULTS: There was no significant difference when comparing control with the experimental group at any timepoint. Antibiotic nails eluted tobramycin at a rapid rate in the first 6 h of exposure to serum, regardless of their preparation with oil or without oil. The rate of elution fell precipitously between 6 and 24 h. CONCLUSION: We believe that although this study, as with any study, cannot perfectly recreate in vivo conditions, we have clearly shown that mineral oil has no significant effect on elution of tobramycin from antibiotic nails.

Systematic review of patient reported outcomes from open tibia fractures in low and middle income countries.

BACKGROUND: Open tibia fractures are a common cause of admission following road traffic accidents in low and middle income countries (LMICs), resulting in substantial mortality and disability. It is important to summarise the clinical course of this injury using patient reported scores in order to assess best treatment in LMICs. OBJECTIVES: To summarise the disability after sustaining an open tibia fracture in LMICs METHODS: All studies were identified from a systematic search of Medline, Embase and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. We included any human with a diagnosed open tibia fracture, following any intervention. Studies were performed in a low or middle income country. The primary outcome was any validated patient reported outcome score reported after three months. Secondary outcomes included economic impact and complications such as infection, non-union and amputation. Data was extracted and summarised. RESULTS: We reviewed 3,593 articles from our search. A total of 18 studies were included from 10 countries with 8 different outcome scores. The average age was 35 years old and 86% of the patients were male. Thirty-one percent were Gustilo I, 28% Gustilo II, 19% Gustilo IIIA, 17% Gustilo IIIB and 5% Gustilo IIIC. The most common complications reported were 18% infection, 15% non-union and 15% amputation. Economic impact was reported in only one study with 100% patients working pre-injury and 20% post-injury at 12 months. Mean follow-up duration for outcome scores was 19.8 months. There was heterogeneity between the studies in terms of subject of the studies, outcome criteria, fracture type, surgical technique and length of follow-up. Therefore, no meta-analysis could be performed. CONCLUSION: The clinical history of open tibia fractures in low or middle income countries remains largely unknown in terms of patient reported outcomes. Further studies are required to define these outcomes in open tibia fractures before best treatments can be assessed.

[Fever after an Open Ankle Fracture - a Surprising Diagnosis]. / Fieber nach offener Sprunggelenksluxationsfraktur ­ eine unerwartete Diagnose.

Fever after an Open Ankle Fracture - a Surprising Diagnosis Abstract. We present the case of a patient with a second-degree open dislocated ankle fracture and a complex wound situation as well as fever in the postoperative course. The man, originally from Nigeria, spent his annual holidays in a rural area of ​​the country, where he sustained a right-sided open dislocation fracture of his ankle in a car accident. After initial rudimentary care in Nigeria, the patient traveled back to Switzerland on his own, where he has been living for the past ten years. Back in Zurich he presented himself to our Department for Emergency Medicine. He was admitted to our Trauma Unit and received surgical care. After dismissal, the patient developed a fever of up to 39 °C and returned to our hospital. We initially assumed the reason for the fever to be a wound infection and therefore escalated an already established antibiotic regimen. Only on the second day after admission we tested the patient for malaria as the surgical wounds looked too clean to be the source of the fever. The patient was tested positive for malaria and transferred to the Department of Infectious Diseases for further treatment where he made a full recovery.

Open Infected Seymour Fracture.

One of the serious complications of Seymour fractures is infection. A 24-year-old male presented with the open infected distal phalanx fracture of the middle finger. Wound debridement, irrigation, use of antibiotics and external fixation with the aid of mini-Ilizarov provided a resolution to the infectious process and enabled us to achieve a stable osseous union in correct position.

Intramedullary nailing for adult open tibial shaft fracture. An 85-case series.

INTRODUCTION: Treatment of open tibial shaft fracture is controversial due to the risk of infection. We assessed results in a continuous series of open tibial shaft fractures treated by primary intramedullary nailing. HYPOTHESIS: Factors can be determined for non-union and onset of infection following primary intramedullary nailing in open tibial shaft fracture. PATIENTS AND METHOD: A retrospective study assessed open tibial shaft fractures treated by primary intramedullary nailing between January 2007 and December 2013. Fractures were classified on the AO and Gustilo classifications. Infection rates and time to union were compared. RESULTS: Eighty-five patients (85 fractures) were included: 13 Gustilo type I, 43 type II, 19 type III-A and 10 type III-B. Eight patients had infection (9%). Healing and union were obtained after nail exchange and reaming in 5 cases, and after bone transport in 2. One patient showed non-union at last follow-up. Infection risk did not correlate with Gustilo (p=0.55) or AO type (p=0.69). The interval between trauma and wound debridement was significantly longer in infected patients (p=0.048). Eighty-three fractures (97.6%) healed, at a mean 6.9±6.1 months (range, 2-40). Non-union was associated with AO type (p=0.04), and showed a non-significant association with Gustilo type (p=0.06). DISCUSSION: Time to treatment was the only factor influencing risk of infection. Non-union was related to AO comminution grade. Primary intramedullary nailing seemed reliable if treatment was early, with rigorous debridement. The advantages then are early resumption of weight-bearing and low patient burden. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: V, retrospective study.

Open reduction and internal fixation of Gustilo type-I and type-II open pilon fractures using a lateral approach.

BACKGROUND: Traditional anteromedial incision for pilon fractures would further increase the damage to the subcutaneous tissues anterior and medial to tibia. In this study, we retrospectively evaluated the method and the outcomes of lateral approach for surgical treatment of Gustilo type-I and type-II open pilon fractures with medial soft tissue injuries. METHODS: From May 2014 to September 2017, 35 patients with Gustilo type-I and type-II open pilon fractures were treated with standard protocol using a lateral approach. The initial wound debridement and application of a spanning external fixator or traction of calcaneal tubercle were performed within 24 h and a definitive fixation was performed when the wound was healed. The mean time from primary surgery to definite surgery was 11.8 (range: 8-16) days. Postoperative radiographs, complications, bone union, and American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle/hind foot score were recorded. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 17 months (range: 13-23). The average time to bone union was 22 weeks (range: 18-25). In 35 patients, 2 patients had a superficial wound infection and another 1 patient showed limitation of ankle joint motion. No cases of deep infection, skin necrosis, and symptomatic implant reported. The mean AOFAS score was 89.8 (range: 84-95). On final outcome, 25 patients come under excellent and 10 patients had good result. CONCLUSION: From the results of this study, we can conclude that the lateral approach to treat Gustilo type-I and type-II open pilon fractures was a safe option with a low complication rate. On the other hand, it provides sufficient exposure to restore anatomic articulation, which is worthy of clinical recommendation.

Irrigation and Debridement of an Open Ankle Fracture With Open Reduction and Internal Fixation and Syndesmotic Fixation Using a Suture Button Device.

Ankle fractures are among the most common surgically treated fractures. The incidence of syndesmotic injury in ankle fractures is 13%-20%. The goal of syndesmotic fixation is a stable, symmetric ankle joint. Missing or poorly reducing a syndesmotic injury can result in diminished function and tibiotalar arthritis. Recently, a suture button-type device has been used instead of the traditional trans-syndesmotic screw-type fixation. This case-based video demonstrates a technique for using suture button-type devices to repair syndesmotic ankle injuries and presents the data regarding the outcomes of this novel technique.

Osteomyelitis Risk Factors Related to Combat Trauma Open Upper Extremity Fractures: A Case-Control Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine risk factors for osteomyelitis in US military personnel with combat-related, extremity long bone (humerus, radius, and ulna) open fractures. DESIGN: Retrospective observational case-control study. SETTING: US military regional hospital in Germany and tertiary care military hospitals in the United States (2003-2009). PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: Sixty-four patients with open upper extremity fractures who met diagnostic osteomyelitis criteria (medical record review verification) were classified as cases. Ninety-six patients with open upper extremity fractures who did not meet osteomyelitis diagnostic criteria were included as controls. INTERVENTION: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Multivariable odds ratios (ORs; 95% confidence interval [CI]). RESULTS: Among patients with surgical implants, osteomyelitis cases had longer time to definitive orthopaedic surgery compared with controls (median: 26 vs. 11 days; P < 0.001); however, there was no significant difference with timing of radiographic union. Being injured between 2003 and 2006, use of antibiotic beads, Gustilo-Anderson [GA] fracture classification (highest with GA-IIIb: [OR: 22.20; CI: 3.60-136.95]), and Orthopaedic Trauma Association Open Fracture Classification skin variable (highest with extensive degloving [OR: 15.61; CI: 3.25-74.86]) were independently associated with osteomyelitis risk. Initial stabilization occurring outside of the combat zone was associated with reduced risk of osteomyelitis. CONCLUSIONS: Open upper extremity fractures with severe soft-tissue damage have the highest risk of developing osteomyelitis. The associations with injuries sustained 2003-2006 and location of initial stabilization are likely from evolving trauma system recommendations and practice patterns during the timeframe. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.