Factors predicting significant pathology on ultrasonography in women presenting with non-specific lower abdominal pain

INTRODUCTION

Ultrasonography is used frequently to exclude significant pathology in young women presenting with nonspecific lower abdominal pain (NSLAP). This study examined parameters that predicted the likelihood of significant findings on ultrasonography. These results could be used to select patients for priority imaging or identify those who could be managed with no ultrasonography.

METHODS

A total of 65 women with NSLAP were identified from 283 admissions. Group 1 (n=42) consisted of patients with normal imaging. Group 2 (n=23) included patients with ‘positive’ scans requiring treatment. White cell count (WCC), C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, platelet count, age, duration of pain and length of stay in hospital were compared between the groups.

RESULTS

The median WCC and CRP were greater in Group 2 than in Group 1: 15 x 10⁹/l and 123mg/l versus 11 x 1071 and 72mg/l respectively (p=0.01 and p=0.05). CRP was a weak predictor of positive pathology on ultrasonography (area under curve [AUC]=0.66, p=0.027) and WCC was a strong predictor of abnormal pathology on ultrasonography (AUC=0.7, p=0.005). A WCC of >12.8 x 10⁹/l was 65% sensitive and 71% specific in predicting subsequent pathology on ultrasonography. The median wait for ultrasonography was 24 hours (range: 1-96 hours).

CONCLUSIONS

This study failed to define any criteria that could select patients not requiring ultrasonography. Since ultrasonography is a relatively cheap and safe investigation, its continued use to screen women with NSLAP is justified. WCC should be used to prioritise imaging.     

The diagnostic value of white cell count,C-reactive protein and bilirubin in acute appendicitis and its complications

Introduction

Inflammatory markers such as white cell count (WCC) and C-reactive protein (CRP) and, more recently, bilirubin have been used as adjuncts in the diagnosis of appendicitis. The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of the above markers in acute and perforated appendicitis as well as their value in excluding the condition.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of 1,169 appendicectomies was performed. Patients were grouped according to histological examination of appendicectomy specimens (normal appendix = NA, acute appendicitis = AA, perforated appendicitis = PA) and preoperative laboratory test results were correlated. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve area analysis (area under the curve [AUC]) was performed to examine diagnostic accuracy.

Results

ROC analysis of all laboratory variables showed that no independent variable was diagnostic for AA. Good diagnostic accuracy was seen for AA when all variables were combined (WCC/CRP/bilirubin combined AUC: 0.8173). In PA, the median CRP level was significantly higher than that of AA (158mg/l vs 30mg, p<0.0001). CRP also showed the highest sensitivity (100%) and negative predictive value (100%) for PA. CRP had the highest diagnostic accuracy in PA (AUC: 0.9322) and this was increased when it was combined with WCC (AUC: 0.9388). Bilirubin added no diagnostic value in PA. Normal levels of WCC, CRP and bilirubin could not rule out appendicitis.

Conclusions

CRP provides the highest diagnostic accuracy for PA. Bilirubin did not provide any discriminatory value for AA and its complications. Normal inflammatory markers cannot exclude appendicitis, which remains a clinical diagnosis.     

White Cell Count and C-Reactive Protein Measurement in Patients with Possible Appendicitis

INTRODUCTION

Clinical assessment outweighs the use of investigations in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis. Nevertheless, white cell count (WCC) and C-reactive protein (CRP) are regularly measured in patients with suspected appendicitis. The aim of this study was to assess the utility of these markers in patients presenting with acute lower abdominal pain.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

WCC and CRP were measured prospectively in 98 patients presenting with lower abdominal pain, and the results were correlated with each patient''s outcome.

RESULTS

No patients with WCC and CRP both in the normal range had acute appendicitis. Raised WCC and CRP were poor positive predictors of appendicitis, both alone and in combination, and correlated poorly with the development of complications.

CONCLUSIONS

This result may have important clinical and economic implications. We suggest that patients experiencing lower abdominal pain, with normal WCC and CRP values, are unlikely to have acute appendicitis and can be safely sent home.     

Preoperative C-reactive protein predicts the severity and likelihood of complications following appendicectomy

Introduction

Diagnostic laparoscopy with appendicectomy (LA) has become the accepted method of investigation and treatment of appendicitis. However, concerns remain in cases of complicated appendicitis when many advocate conversion to an open procedure (LCOA) owing to the risk of complications. The aim of this study was to look for factors that could predict complications occurring in patients undergoing appendicectomy.

Methods

Data inclusive of all consecutive appendicectomies over a two-year period were retrieved from the computerised theatre database. Clinical details including admission inflammatory markers, complications, severity (final pathology) and length of stay were collected from the discharge letter. Readmissions were identified as those hospital identifiers had a second set of admission dates and/or a second discharge letter.

Results

During the 2-year study period, 517 appendicectomies were performed. Of these, 429 patients (83%) had LA and the remaining 88 (17%) had LCOA. The LA group had a mean age of 28 years (range: 2–86 years) and a mean C-reactive protein (CRP) level of 71mg/l (range: 0–480mg/l) while the LCOA group had a mean age of 46 years (range: 11–92 years) and a mean CRP level of 162mg/l (range: 3–404mg/l). These differences in age and CRP were significant (p<0.001). LA patients were less likely to have complications overall (22% vs 52%, p=0.015). Complications were independently more than twice as common with established inflammation with a CRP level of >150mg/l (p<0.05).

Conclusions

A high preoperative CRP level predicts an increased rate of postoperative complication due to established inflammation and/or infection. This raises the question of whether we should be offering primary open appendicectomies to patients with a CRP level of >150mg/l.     

Is there an association between periprosthetic joint infection and low vitamin D levels?

Purpose

Vitamin D is increasingly being recognized as an important mediator of immune function and may have a preventive role in the pathogenesis of periprosthetic joint infection. To the best of our knowledge, no other study has examined possible associations between periprosthetic joint infection and vitamin D deficiency. We investigated the rate of vitamin D deficiency in patients treated for periprosthetic joint infection and whether vitamin D deficiency is independent of other risk factors for vitamin D deficiency in patients with periprosthetic joint infection.

Methods

Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) levels of every patient scheduled to receive a total prosthesis either of the hip, knee, or shoulder in the orthopaedic department of the Johannes-Guttenberg-University Hospital in Mainz, Germany (109 patients), were measured after admission. Furthermore, serum 25OHD levels were measured for every patient presenting with periprosthetic joint infection (n = 50) or aseptic loosening of the prosthesis (n = 31) scheduled to undergo revision surgery. The prevalence of normal (>30 ng/ml), insufficient (20–30 ng/ml), and deficient (<20 ng/ml) 25OHD levels was determined.

Results

All tested patient subgroups showed low vitamin D levels. Statistical analysis found no significant difference in vitamin D levels comparing patients with prosthesis and patients with aseptic prosthesis loosening (p = 0.58). Significant differences in 25OHD levels were found comparing patients with periprosthetic joint infection and patients scheduled for primary arthroplasty (p < 0.001). In addition, we found a significant difference (p < 0,001) in 25OHD levels of patients with periprosthetic joint infection compared with patients with aseptic prosthesis loosening.

Conclusion

We found a high frequency of vitamin D deficiency in patients being treated by primary arthroplasty and those with aseptic joint prosthetic loosening and periprosthetic joint infection. Vitamin D deficiency was severe in patients with periprosthetic joint infection.     

Deep wound infection following pediatric scoliosis surgery: incidence and analysis of risk factors

Background

Deep wound infection after spinal surgery is a severe complication that often requires prolonged medical and surgical management. It can compromise the outcome of the deformity correction, especially in patients requiring surgical intervention with subsequent removal of implants. Ascertaining the incidence and risk factors leading to infection may help to prevent this problem.

Methods

We reviewed the hospital charts of all patients who underwent spinal deformity correction from 1996 to 2005.

Results

In all, 227 patients were identified (139 idiopathic, 57 neuromuscular, 8 syndromic, 6 congenital, 17 other); 191 patients were treated with posterior instrumentation and fusion, 11 with anterior-only procedures and 24 with combined anterior and posterior procedures. Final follow-up ranged from 1 to 9.5 years. Infection developed in 14 patients. The overall incidence of infection was 6.2%. Drainage and back pain were the most common presenting symptoms. The incidence of infection was higher among patients with nonidiopathic diagnoses (risk ratio [RR] 8.65, p < 0.001). Use of allograft bone was associated with a higher rate of infection (RR 9.66, p < 0.001) even when stratified by diagnosis (nonidiopathic diagnoses, RR 7.6, p = 0.012). Higher volume of instrumentation was also a risk factor for infection (p = 0.022). Coagulase-negative Staphyloccocus was the most commonly identified organism, followed by Propionibacterium acnes and Pseudomonas.

Conclusion

Development of infection following scoliosis surgery was found to be associated with several risk factors, including a nonidiopathic diagnosis, the use of allograft and a higher volume of instrumentation. Preventative measures addressing these factors may decrease the rate of infection.     

Vitamin D status in pediatric osteoarticular tuberculosis

Background

Tubercular patients, in general, have been demonstrated with lower serum levels of vitamin D, but the levels in osteoarticular tuberculosis (TB) in children are largely unknown. We aimed to determine serum vitamin D status in pediatric cases with osteoarticular TB.

Methods

The values of serum vitamin D were estimated in 100 children with osteoarticular TB. The patients were divided into three groups based on gender, age, and site to assess variations of vitamin D levels in pediatric osteoarticular TB.

Results

Hypovitaminosis D was associated with active osteoarticular TB in children. The mean vitamin D levels were 42.165 nmol/L. There were no statistical difference between mean vitamin D levels in boys and girls (p value = 0.6143); age groups <5 and 5–12 years (p value = 0.3857); or spinal and non-spinal osteoarticular groups (p value = 0.8350).

Conclusions

Active osteoarticular TB in children was also associated with hypovitaminosis D. The correlation between hypovitaminosis D and osteoarticular TB appears to be more disease specific rather than host specific.     

Postoperative changes of early-phase inflammatory indices after uncomplicated anterior cervical discectomy and fusion using allograft and demineralised bone matrix

Purposes

We investigated sequential levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) in uncomplicated ACDF (anterior cervical discectomy and fusion) using allograft and DBM (demineralised bone matrix) for primary cervical spondylosis and/or disc herniation. To our knowledge, there has been no study to investigate the diagnostic value of CRP and ESR for postoperative infection in ACDF using allograft and DBM.

Methods

Blood samples of 85 patients, who underwent one- (n = 51) or two-level (n = 34) ACDF, were obtained and evaluated before surgery and on the first, third, fifth, seventh, 14th, 30th, and 90th postoperative days. No infection was found in any patient for at least one year follow-up period.

Results

Mean CRP value increased significantly on the first postoperative day and reached a peak on the third postoperative day. The peak level rapidly decreased but remained elevated on the fifth, seventh, and 14th postoperative days. Mean ESR value increased significantly and reached a peak on the third postoperative day. The peak level gradually decreased but remained elevated on the fifth and seventh postoperative days. One- and two-level ACDF exhibited similar postoperative changes in CRP and ESR values and no significant difference in mean levels of CRP and ESR throughout the follow-up periods.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that uncomplicated ACDF using allograft and DBM showed significant abnormal values of CRP and ESR during the early postoperative period. This result suggests that abnormal values of CRP and ESR in the early postoperative period do not indicate acute postoperative infection after ACDF using allograft and DBM. Straying from the normal course, such as a second rise or a failure to decrease, of CRP and ESR is more important to signpost acute postoperative infection in ACDF using allograft and DBM.     

Lumbar spine fusion surgery and stroke: a national cohort study

Purpose

To investigate the incidence and risk of stroke after lumbar spinal fusion surgery.

Method

Study subjects were identified from a nationwide cohort of 1 million people from 2000 to 2005 and were divided into the lumbar spinal fusion group (n = 2,015), who received posterior lumbar spinal fusion surgery, and the comparison group (n = 16,120) composed of age-, sex-, and propensity score-matched control subjects. The matching process was intended to adjust for demographics, comorbidities, and other immeasurable covariates to minimize selection bias. All subjects were followed up for 3 years for stroke, including hemorrhagic and ischemic strokes. Kaplan–Meier and Cox regression analyses were performed.

Results

The overall incidence rate of stroke in the cohort was 9.99 per 1,000 person-year. The lumbar spinal fusion group was less likely to have any stroke (adjusted hazard ratio (HR) = 0.83, p = 0.293), hemorrhagic stroke (adjusted HR = 0.74, p = 0.739) and ischemic stroke (adjusted HR = 0.81, p = 0.250) than the comparison group, but without significance.

Conclusions

Three years post-operatively, patients who received lumbar spinal fusion had stroke incidence rates similar to those without surgery. Posterior lumbar spinal fusion surgery is not associated with increased risks for any kind of stroke.     

Prompt laparoscopic cholecystectomy would reduce morbidity and save hospital resources

Introduction

Limited resources and organisational problems often result in significant waiting times for patients presenting with an indication for cholecystectomy. This study investigated the potential false economy of such practice.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of all patients on a waiting list for cholecystectomy between July 2007 and October 2010 was performed. The hospital computer document management system and patients’ notes were used to collect data.

Results

A total of 1,021 patients were included in the study; 701 were listed from clinic and 320 were listed following an emergency admission. The median time on a waiting list before surgery was 96 days (range: 5–381 days). Eighty-seven patients (8.5%) had an emergency admission with a gallstone related problem while on a waiting list. This resulted in 488 cumulative inpatient days. There was a significant correlation between increased time spent on the waiting list and increased chance of an emergency admission (p=0.01). Patients added to the waiting list from emergency admissions were more likely to be admitted with complications than those listed from clinic (15.3% vs 5.4%, p<0.01). There was no association between age (p=0.53) or sex (p=0.23) and likelihood of emergency admission while on a waiting list.

Conclusions

Prompt elective surgery and same-admission emergency laparoscopic cholecystectomy can reduce waiting list patient morbidity and is likely to save resources in the long term.     

Nosocomial Transmission of Highly Resistant Microorganisms on a Spinal Cord Rehabilitation Ward

Background/Objective:

To study the mechanism of nosocomial transmission of highly resistant microorganisms (HRMOs).

Design:

A prospective observational study.

Setting:

A spinal cord ward of a rehabilitation center.

Participants:

Patients admitted to the spinal cord rehabilitation ward.

Outcome Measures:

HRMOs present in urine and feces. HRMOs, Enterobacteriaceae: (1) that produced an extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL), (2) that were resistant to carbapenems, (3) that fluoroquinolones and aminoglycosides (for Escherichia coli and Klebsiella species), or other Enterobacteriaceae species that were resistant to 2 of 3 of the following types of antibiotics (fluoroquinolones, aminoglycosides, cotrimoxazole).

Methods:

Bacterial growth, identification and sensitivity were tested in urine cultures of 46 patients and faeces cultures of 15 patients. Data were collected on demographic characteristics, underlying diseases, reason and date of admission, room number, method of catheterization (suprapubic, clean intermittent catheterization or indwelling Foley catheter) and antibiotic use.

Results:

Nine different HRMOs (7 E coli, 1 Enterobacter cloacae, and 1 Citrobacter koseri) were isolated in urine samples from 15 patients. E coli resistant to gentamicin, tetracycline, amoxicillin, cotrimoxazole, and ciprofloxacin were isolated from 8 patients during the study (cluster 1). One strain of multiresistant E coli found before the start of the study was not found during the study period (cluster 2). E coli strains producing an ESBL and resistant to tetracycline, cotrimoxazole, and ciprofloxacin were isolated from urine samples of 3 patients (cluster 3). Ciprofloxacin-resistant E coli were present in feces of 3 patients (2 in cluster 1). Catheterization was found to be significantly more prevalent in patients with HRMOs. Most of the patients in cluster 1 were treated with antibiotics before the first isolation of the strain.

Conclusions:

HRMOs from urine samples were strongly correlated with the use of catheterization. A close correlation was found between prior use of antibiotics and colonization of the urinary tract on the level of the individual patient, which has been rarely described in the literature.     

Evaluation and Management of Periprosthetic Joint Infection–an International,Multicenter Study

Background

Controversies still exist regarding the optimal diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in patients with prosthetic joint infections (PJI).

Questions/Purposes

How effective are preoperative and intraoperative cultures in isolating organisms and how do these culture results compare to one another? What are the results of surgical treatment of PJI in the hip and knee in an international, tertiary referral center cohort?

Patients and Methods

One hundred sixteen patients (N = 59 hip PJI, N = 57 knee PJI) were recruited prospectively to registries at three international, tertiary referral centers between December 2008 to November 2011. Retrospective review of prospective registry data including demographics, microbiology results, and operative reports was performed.

Results

Preoperative synovial fluid aspiration yielded an organism in only 45.2% and 44.4% of cases, respectively, for knee and hip PJI. False-negative rates of preoperative aspiration relative to intraoperative culture were 56% and 46% in hip and knee PJI, respectively, with discordance rates of 25% and 21.4%, respectively. Rates of negative intraoperative cultures were 15% in hip PJI and 20.7% in knee PJI. Open debridement with prosthetic retention was the most common initial revision procedure performed (48.3% of hip PJI and 63.8% of knee PJI). This method of revision was successful in 41.3% of hip PJI and 59.4% of knee PJI. Initial failure rates for prosthetic revision was lower than debridement with prosthetic retention but remained substantial in both hip PJI (initial success of one-stage exchange 60% and two-stage exchange 70%) and knee PJI (initial success of one-stage exchange 80% and two-stage exchange 75%).

Conclusion

Diagnosis and treatment of PJI remains challenging with difficulty in isolating the offending organism and with high rates of prosthetic revision and initial treatment failures. Future advances in organism isolation and international standardization of treatment protocols may improve patient outcomes.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s11420-013-9366-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

The incidence of postoperative urinary retention in patients undergoing elective hip and knee arthroplasty

Introduction

Postoperative urinary retention requiring urethral catheterisation increases the risk of joint sepsis following arthroplasty. Spinal anaesthesia with opiate administration is used widely in lower limb arthroplasty. We sought to establish whether the choice of opiate agent had any effect on the incidence of postoperative retention and therefore the risk of joint sepsis.

Methods

A total of 445 consecutive patients who underwent primary elective lower limb arthroplasty were reviewed retrospectively. Patients had general anaesthesia and femoral nerve block (GA+FNB), spinal anaesthesia and intrathecal fentanyl (SA+ITF) or spinal anaesthesia and intrathecal morphine (SA+ITM).

Results

Urinary retention was observed in 14% of male and 2% of female patients with GA+FNB, 9% of male and 3% of female patients with SA+ITF, and 60% of male (p=0.0005) and 5% of female patients with SA+ITM. Men who experienced retention were older (68 vs 64 years, p=0.013) and had longer inpatient stays (6.7 vs 4.6 days, p=0.043). Fewer patients in the SA+ITM group required breakthrough analgesia (28% vs 58%, p=0.004).

Concusions

The use of ITM in men significantly increases the incidence of urinary retention requiring urethral catheterisation and subsequently increases the risk of deep joint sepsis. Its use should be rationalised against the intended benefits and alternatives sought where possible.     

The effects of upper limb loading on spinal shrinkage during treadmill walking

Introduction

Everyday activities such as walking may elicit spinal shrinkage in an order of magnitude that has been related to lower back pain. The present study aims to compare the effects of unloaded treadmill walking with walking carrying loads representing everyday shopping tasks.

Materials and methods

Walking tasks were performed on seven healthy males and motion analysis was used to track four reflective markers at 100 Hz, dividing the spine into three segments. Static data was collected in 5-min intervals over a 30-min period.

Results

Total spinal length and lumbar segment decreased with respect to time (p < 0.001). Load affected the percentage length change at each spinal segment (p < 0.005), with the lumbar segment showing greatest height loss at the highest load. The upper and lower thoracic segments showed greater anterior lean with the heavier loads (p = 0.000) and the lumbar segment showed the opposite trend (p = 0.000).

Conclusion

Results suggest that the body adopts less anterior lean with an immediate load-bearing demand, to decrease the necessary extension moment generated by the spinal extensors for spinal stability. Further postural alteration in the same direction is observed with prolonged loading. In combination with lumbar spinal shrinkage, such postural changes are likely to increase the loading on the facet joints and subsequently unload the discs which may be beneficial for those with low back pain.     

Clinical features of spinal infection in individuals older than eighty?years

Purpose

Japan has one of the most rapidly increasing numbers of elderly individuals; therefore, future trends in spinal infections in the elderly in other countries may be predicted by studying such characteristics in Japan. The purposes of this study were to identify whether the incidence of spinal infection in individuals more than 80 years old is increasing and to define its clinical characteristics.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 98 patients treated in our hospital for spinal infection between 1999 and 2008. Patients were divided into two groups: those admitted to our hospital during the initial five year period, and those admitted during the latter five year period. We evaluated changes in the percentage of individuals over the age of 80 years. To define the clinical characteristics of spinal infection, patients were also divided into another set of two groups: those over 80 years and those around the age of 80 years.

Results

The percentage of patients over 80 years with spinal infection was significantly increasing. There was no significant difference in the gender distribution, prevalence of immunocompromised hosts, common involved levels, or mortality rate between the two age groups. The pathogenic organism was isolated in 78.6%, and of these, the rate of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or epidermidis was 2.46 times higher in the elderly group than in the younger group.

Conclusions

The number of patients over 80 years with spinal infection is expected to rapidly increase in aging societies. This advanced age group is more susceptible to infection with drug-resistant organisms, which makes infection management more difficult.     

Interleukin-6 and other inflammatory markers in diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infection

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and other inflammatory markers including C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and white blood cell count (WCC) in diagnosis of PJI.

Methods

The study group included 40 patients (21 males, 19 females) admitted for surgical intervention after knee or hip arthroplasties. Patients were subjected to careful history taking, thorough clinical examination and pre-operative laboratory investigations including serum IL-6, CRP, WCC and ESR. Peri-implant tissue specimens were subjected to microbiological culture and histopathological examination.

Results

The mean age of patients was 58.4 years (range, 38–72 years). Intra-operative cultures and histopathological examination revealed 11 patients had been infected (PJI) and 29 patients were aseptic failure of prosthesis. Four presumed markers of infection were tested preoperatively: ESR, CRP, WCC, and IL-6. ESR (p?=?0.0001), CRP (p?=?0.004), WCC (0.0001), and IL-6 (p?=?0.0001) were significantly higher in patients with septic revision than those with aseptic failure of the prosthesis. Serum IL-6 (>10.4 pg/ml) reportedly had a sensitivity of 100 %, a specificity of 90.9 %, a PPV of 79 %, a NPV of 100 %, and accuracy of 92.5 %.

Conclusions

The present study demonstrated that IL-6 has been found to be the most accurate laboratory marker for diagnosing PJI when compared to ESR, CRP, and WCC. IL-6 above 10.4 pg/ml and CRP level above 18 mg/L will identify all patients with PJI and the combination of CRP?+?IL-6 is an excellent screening test to identify all such patients (sensitivity 100 %, NPV 100 %).     

Clopidogrel: is a surgical delay necessary in fractured neck of femur?

INTRODUCTION

This paper assesses the outcomes of patients after surgery for a proximal femur fracture while on clopidogrel. It describes a single-centre retrospective observational study over a two-year period.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 31 surgical patients were included in this study. Of these, 28 were on clopidogrel and 3 on dipyridamole. Patients were split into subgroups based on when surgery took place and the type of hip fracture. The ‘early surgery’ (<48 hours from admission to theatre) group contained 16 patients (51.6%) and the ‘late surgery’ (>48 hours) group composed 15 patients (48.4%). Type of surgery performed and pre-and postoperative haemoglobin (Hb) levels were recorded. Furthermore, the number of units of blood transfused per patient as well as complications before and after surgery were noted.

RESULTS

A significantly larger mean Hb drop occurred in the early surgery group (3.2g/dl) compared with the late surgery group (2.3g/dl) (p=0.027). The mean length of inpatient stay was 21 days in the early and 23 days in the late group (p=0.456). A significantly larger Hb mean drop occurred in patients with extracapsular hip fractures (3.4g/dl; n=16) compared with patients with intracapsular fractures (2.3g/dl; n=15) (p=0.020). The extracapsular patients had longer stays in hospital: 24.5 days versus 19.8 days in the intracapsular group (p=0.521). There was no statistical difference in the 30-day mortality between the early surgery (3/16 deaths) and late surgery (2/15 deaths) groups (p=0.481).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with extracapsular fractures, treated with early surgery, appear to be most at risk of complications after surgery.     

Experience of managing open fractures of the lower limb at a major trauma centre

Introduction

In April 2012 the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford became a major trauma centre (MTC). The British Orthopaedic Association and British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons joint standards for the management of open fractures of the lower limb (BOAST 4) require system-wide changes in referral practice that may be facilitated by the MTC and its associated major trauma network.

Methods

From 2008 to 2013 a multistep audit of compliance with BOAST 4 was conducted to assess referral patterns, timing of surgery and outcomes (surgical site infection rates), to determine changes following local intervention and the establishment of the MTC.

Results

Over the study period, 50 patients had soft tissue cover for an open lower limb fracture and there was a significant increase in the proportion of patients receiving definitive fixation in our centre (p=0.036). The median time from injury to soft tissue cover fell from 6.0 days to 3.5 days (p=0.051) and the median time from definitive fixation to soft tissue cover fell from 5.0 days to 2.0 days (p=0.003). The deep infection rate fell from 27% to 8% (p=0.247). However, in 2013 many patients still experienced a delay of >72 hours between injury and soft tissue cover, primarily owing to a lack of capacity for providing soft tissue cover.

Conclusions

Our experience may be relevant to other MTCs seeking to identify barriers to optimising the management of patients with these injuries.