Delayed presentation is no barrier to satisfactory outcome in the management of open tibial fractures

The management of open tibial fractures is a challenge to all orthopaedic trauma surgeons. The major goals are fracture union, uncomplicated soft tissue healing and return to pre-injury level of function. The geographical isolation and vastness of the Northern Territory of Australia complicates the management of these injuries by adding a significant delay to treatment. Forty-five patients sustained 48 open tibial fractures over the 30-month period of the study. Twelve received primary surgical treatment within 6h of injury but 33 were treated more than 6h after injury. The mean time to treatment in this latter group was 12h 15min (median 9h 45min, range 6-37h). The majority of injuries were high energy, with 23 patients having multiple injuries and 29 fractures (60%) being classified as AO C3 with 35 (73%) having Gustilo III soft tissue injuries. There was a mean time to union of 7.5 months and an overall complication rate of 42.2%. Thirteen patients (29%) required additional (late) surgical procedures subsequent to definitive fracture and soft tissue management. The zone of injury infection rate was 12.5%. The high incidence of open tibial fractures places a large financial burden on the state. However, despite the absence of a plastic surgical service and delays in presentation, satisfactory outcomes can be obtained by the application of the established surgical principles of thorough debridement, soft tissue management and fracture stabilisation.     

A representative assessment of the management of open fractures of the lower limb within UK orthoplastic centres: A two-centre audit of compliance with national standards

BackgroundOpen fractures of the lower limb represent a complex and varied array of injuries. The BOAST 4 document produced by BAPRAS and the BOA provides standards on how to manage these patients, and NICE have recently produced additional guidance. We aimed to assess concordance with these standards in a large cohort representative of UK orthoplastic centres.MethodsPatients admitted to the orthoplastic units at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and Royal Stoke University Hospital with open lower limb fractures between 2009 and 2014 were included. Data was gathered from notes and endpoints based on the BOAST 4 document.ResultsIn total, 84 patients were included across the two sites, with 83 having their initial debridement within 24 h (98.8%). Forty-two patients had a documented out-of-hours initial surgery. Of these, 10 (23.8%) had an indication for urgent surgery. This pattern was consistent across both hospitals. A plastic surgeon was present at 33.3% of initial operations. Of 78 patients receiving definitive soft tissue cover, 56.4% had cover within 72 h and 78.2% within 7 days. Main reasons for missing these targets were transfer from other hospitals, plastic surgeons not present at initial operation and intervening critical illness.ConclusionsThis study has identified key areas for improving compliance with the national BOAST 4 and NICE standards. Out-of-hours operating is occurring unnecessarily and time targets are being missed. The development of dedicated referral pathways and a true orthoplastic approach are required to improve the management of this complex set of injuries.     

Time to Initial Debridement and wound Excision (TIDE) in severe open tibial fractures and related clinical outcome: A multi-centre study

BackgroundRecent national (NICE) guidelines in England recommend that initial debridement and wound excision of open tibial fractures take place within 12 h of the time of injury, a change from the previous target of 24 h. This study aims to assess the effect of timing of the initial debridement and wound excision on major infective complications, the impact of the new guidance, and the feasibility of adhering to the 12 h target within the infrastructure currently existing in four major trauma centres in England.MethodsA retrospective review was performed of Gustilo-Anderson grade 3B open tibial fractures presenting acutely to four Major Trauma Centres (MTCs) in England with co-located plastic surgery services over a ten-month period. The incidence of deep infective complications was compared between patients who underwent initial surgery according to the new NICE guidance and those who did not. Patients warranting emergency surgery for severely contaminated injury, concomitant life-threatening injury and neurovascular compromise were excluded. Multi-variable logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the effect of timing of surgical debridement on development of deep infective complications.Results112 patients with 116 fractures were included. Six fractures (5.2%) developed deep infective complications. 38% (n = 44) underwent primary debridement within 12 h and 90% within 24 h. There was no significant difference in the incidence of major infective complications if debrided in less than or greater than 12 h (4.5% vs 5.6%, p = 1.00). Logistic regression found no significant relationship between timing of wound excision and development of deep infection. There was no significant decrease in mean time to debridement following introduction of new national guidance (13.6 vs 16.1 h) in these four MTCs.ConclusionOverall, the rate of deep infection in high energy open tibial fractures managed within the four major trauma centes is low. Achieving surgical debridement within 12 h is challenging within the current infrastructure, and it is unclear whether adhering to this target will significantly affect the incidence of severe infective complications. Debridement within 24 h appears achievable. If a 12-h target is to be met, it is vital to ensure dedicated orthoplastic capacity is adequately resourced.     

Treatment of open and closed tibial fractures with unreamed interlocking tibial nails

Surgical Principles Intramedullary splinting of acute open and closed tibial fractures without reaming the medullary canal using load bearers of small calibers with concurrent interlocking of the main bone fragments through which loads are transmitted.     

交锁髓内钉治疗开放性胫腓骨骨折并发症的原因分析及防治

[目的] 观察交锁髓内钉治疗开放性胫腓骨骨折的并发症的原因及防治措施。[方法]1999年1月～2004年12月用交锁髓内钉治疗开放性胫腓骨骨折120例。男76例，女44例；Gustilo Ⅰ型67例，Ⅱ型47例，Ⅲa型6例；左侧39例，右侧81例；年龄15～78岁，平均34．5岁；Gustilo Ⅰ，Ⅱ型均采用扩髓及静力型固定，Ⅲa型6例均未扩髓。[结果] 120例均得到随访，平均30个月（2个月～5年）。愈合时间12～56周，平均27．4周。术中并发症有髓内钉开口错误3例，术中再骨折4例，小腿软组织损伤4例，锁钉误穿7例，大隐静脉和腓总神经损伤各1例；术后并发症主要有感染8例，膝关节疼痛3例，锁钉断裂4例：主钉断裂1例，骨折迟缓愈合12例，肢体短缩和膝关节内翻各1例。疗效根据Johner-Wruhs标准进行评分，优102例，良16例，差2例，优良率98.3％。[结论] 交锁髓内钉治疗胫腓骨开放性骨折存在一定的并发症，在临床使用中必须引起高度重视；Gustilo Ⅱ以上骨折以不扩髓为宜。     

Incidence of infection after early intramedullary nailing of open tibial shaft fractures stabilized with pinless external fixators

Background:

A major drawback of conventional fixator system is the penetration of fixator pins into the medullary canal. The pins create a direct link between the medullary cavity and outer environment, leading to higher infection rates on conversion to intramedullary nailing. This disadvantage is overcome by the AO pinless fixator, in which the trocar points are clamped onto the outer cortex without penetrating it. This study was designed to evaluate the role of AO pinless fixators in primary stabilization of open diaphyseal tibial fractures that received staged treatment because of delayed presentation or poor general condition. We also analyzed the rate of infection on early conversion to intramedullary nail.

Materials and Methods:

This study is a retrospective review of 30 open diaphyseal fractures of tibia, which were managed with primary stabilization with pinless fixator and early exchange nailing. Outcome was evaluated in terms of fracture union and rate of residual infection. The data were compared with that available in the literature.

Results:

All the cases were followed up for a period of 2 years. The study includes Gustilo type 1 (n=10), 14 Gustilo type 2 (n=14), and type3 (n=6) cases. 6 cases (20%) had clamp site infection, 2 cases (6.7%) had deep infection, and in 28 cases (93%) the fracture healed and consolidated well.

Conclusion:

This study has highlighted the valuable role of pinless external fixator in the management of open tibial fractures in terms of safety and ease of application as well as the advantage of early conversion to intramedullary implant without the risk of deep infection.     

Open tibial fractures: An overview

Open tibial fractures are complex injuries with multifactorial outcomes and variable prognosis. The close proximity of the tibia to the skin makes it prone to extensive soft tissue damage and subsequent detrimental complications, such as infection and non-union. Thus, they were historically associated with high rates of amputation, sepsis, or even death. The advancement of surgical instruments and techniques, along the emergence of evidence-based guidance, have resulted in a significant reduction in complications. Peculiarly though, modern management strategies have a strong foundation in practices described in the ancient times. Nevertheless, post-operative complications are still a challenge in the management of open tibial fractures. Efforts are actively being made to refine the surgical approaches used, while noteworthy is the emergence of the Orthoplastic approach. The aim of this review is to summarise and discuss the historical perspective of the management of open tibial fractures, their epidemiology and classification, up-to-date principles of surgical management and outcomes following injury.     

Risk factors for deep infection in secondary intramedullary nailing after external fixation for open tibial fractures

BACKGROUND: Risk factors for deep infection in secondary intramedullary nailing (IMN) after external fixation (EF) for open tibial fractures were investigated by multivariate analysis following univariate analyses. METHODS: Forty-two open tibial fractures were treated with secondary IMN after EF. The open tibial fractures were classified according to the criteria proposed by Gustilo et al.: type II, 11; type IIIA, 8; type IIIB, 22 and type IIIC, 1. Locked IMNs with limited reaming were performed in 27 patients, and locked IMNs without reaming in 15 patients. The following factors contributing to deep infection were selected for analysis: age, gender, Gustilo type (II or III), fracture grade by AO type (A or B+C), fracture site, existence of multiple trauma (Injury Severity Score, ISS<18 or ISS> or = 18), existence of floating knee injury, debridement time (< or = 6 h or > 6 h), reamed (R) versus unreamed (UR) nailing, duration of external fixation (< or = 3 weeks or >3 weeks), interval between removal of EF and IMN (< or = 2 weeks or >2 weeks), skin closure time (< or = 1 week or >1 week), existence of superficial infection (+ or -) and existence of pin tract infection (+ or -). The relationship between deep infection and the above factors was evaluated by univariate analyses. RESULTS: Seven (16.7%) of the 42 open tibia fractures developed deep infections. All deep infections occurred in Gustilo type III (22.6%, 7/31). Only the skin closure time was a significant factor affecting the occurrence of deep infection on the present analysis (p = 0.006). CONCLUSION: The present evaluation showed that early skin closure within 1 week is the most important factor in preventing deep infections when treating open tibial fractures with secondary IMN after EF.     

Management of open tibial fractures - a regional experience

INTRODUCTION

The treatment of soft-tissue injuries associated with tibial diaphyseal fractures presents a clinical challenge that is best managed by a combined plastic and orthopaedic surgery approach. The current study was undertaken to assess early treatment outcomes and burden of service provision across five regional plastic surgery units in the South-West of England.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

We conducted a prospective 6-month audit of open tibial diaphyseal fracture management in five plastic surgery units (Bristol, Exeter, Plymouth, Salisbury, Swansea) with a collective catchment of 9.2 million people. Detailed data were collected on patient demographics, injury pattern, surgical management and outcome followed to discharge.

RESULTS

The study group consisted of 55 patients (40 male, 15 female). Twenty-two patients presented directly to the emergency department at the specialist hospital (primary group), 33 patients were initially managed at a local hospital (tertiary group). The mean time from injury to soft tissue cover was significantly less (P < 0.001) in the primary group (3.6 ± 0.8 days) than the tertiary group (10.8 ± 2.2 days), principally due to a delay in referral in the latter group (5.4 ±1.7 days). Cover was achieved with 39 flaps (19 free, 20 local), eight split skin grafts. Nine wounds closed directly or by secondary intention. There were 11 early complications (20%) including one flap failure and four infections. The overall mean length of stay was 17.5 ± 2.8 days.

CONCLUSIONS

Multidisciplinary management of severe open tibial diaphyseal may not be feasible at presentation of injury depending on local hospital specialist services available. Our results highlight the need for robust assessment, triage and senior orthopaedic review in the early post-injury phase. However, broader improvements in the management of lower limb trauma will additionally require further development of combined specialist trauma centres.     

Taylor spatial frame in the treatment of open tibial shaft fractures

Background:

The Taylor spatial frame (TSF) is a modern multiplanar external fixator that combines the ease of application and computer accuracy in the reduction of fractures. A retrospective review of our prospective TSF database for the use of this device for treating open tibial fractures in pediatric, adolescent, and adult patients was carried out to determine the effectiveness and complications of TSF in the treatment of these fractures.

Materials and Methods:

Nineteen male patients with open tibial fractures were included. Of these fractures, 10 were Gustilo Type II, five were Gustilo Type IIIA (two had delayed primary closure and three had split thickness skin grafting), and four were Gustilo Type IIIB (all had rotational flaps). Twelve of our patients presented immediately to the emergency room, and the remaining seven cases presented at a mean of 3 months (range, 2.2-4.5 months) after the initial injury. The fractures were located in proximal third (n=1), proximal/middle junction (n=2), middle third (n=3), middle/distal junction (n=8), distal third (n=3), and segmental fractures (n=2). Patients were of an average age of 26 years (range, 6-45years). Mean duration of follow-up was 3.5 years.

Results:

All fractures healed over a mean of 25 weeks (range, 9-46 weeks). All were able to participate in the activities of daily living without any difficulty and most were involved in sports during the last follow-up. Postoperative complications included pin tract infection in 12 patients.

Conclusion:

The TSF is an effective definitive method of open tibial fracture care with the advantage of early mobilization, ease of soft tissue management through gradual fracture reduction, and the ability to postoperatively manipulate the fracture into excellent alignment.     

胫骨下段骨折切开与闭合复位内固定术疗效比较

目的比较闭合性胫骨下段骨折切开复位与闭合复位内固定术的疗效,以期寻找更合适的治疗手段。方法对50例胫腓骨下段骨折行内固定术,随机分为2组:A组25例(闭合复位、经皮锁定加压接骨板内固定)、B组25例(切开复位、锁定加压接骨板内固定)。结果 A组平均手术时间较B组长、术中透视次数多、解剖复位率低,但平均术中出血量少、切口长度短、住院时间短、骨折临床愈合时间短、下地负重时间短、术后并发症发生率低、术后Johner-Wruhs评分优良率高,两组差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论对于胫骨下段闭合性骨折,采用闭合复位、经皮胫骨内侧锁定加压接骨板内固定术总体疗效优于切开复位、胫骨内侧锁定加压接骨板内固定术,可以推广使用。     

Management of open fractures of the tibial shaft in multiple trauma

Background:

The work presents the assessment of the results of treatment of open tibial shaft fractures in polytrauma patients.

Materials and Methods:

The study group comprised 28 patients who underwent surgical treatment of open fractures of the tibial shaft with locked intramedullary nailing. The mean age of the patients was 43 years (range from 19 to 64 years). The criterion for including the patients in the study was concomitant multiple trauma. For the assessment of open tibial fractures, Gustilo classification was used. The most common concomitant multiple trauma included craniocerebral injuries, which were diagnosed in 12 patients. In 14 patients, the surgery was performed within 24 h after the injury. In 14 patients, the surgery was delayed and was performed 8–10 days after the trauma.

Results:

The assessment of the results at 12 months after the surgery included the following features: time span between the trauma and the surgery and complications in the form of osteomyelitis and delayed union. The efficacy of gait, muscular atrophy, edema of the operated limb and possible disturbances of its axis were also taken under consideration. In patients operated emergently within 24 h after the injury, infected nonunion was observed in three (10.8%) males. These patients had grade III open fractures of the tibial shaft according to Gustilo classification. No infectious complications were observed in patients who underwent a delayed operation.

Conclusion:

Evaluation of patients with open fractures of the tibial shaft in multiple trauma showed that delayed intramedullary nailing performed 8–10 days after the trauma, resulted in good outcome and avoided development of delayed union and infected nonunion. This approach gives time for stabilization of general condition of the patient and identification of pathogens from wound culture.     

解剖型胫骨髁钢板治疗胫骨平台骨折

[目的]探讨胫骨平台骨折内固定的方法，评估内固定手术的疗效。[方法]对本科2000～2006年收治的22例胫骨平台骨折手术内固定患者进行随访，并进行回顾性分析，全部患者均采用德国LINK解剖型髁钢板内固定。[结果]本组患者平均随访33．3个月，骨折均于3个月愈合。膝关节功能恢复情况根据关节活动度、疼痛、关节稳定性进行HSS评分，平均89．5分。[结论]解剖型胫骨髁钢板可很好的治疗各型胫骨平台骨折，手术操作简单，治疗效果满意，是治疗胫骨平台骨折的良好的内固定材料。     

胫骨平台骨折的手术治疗

2004年1月～2007年12月,我们采用钢板内固定治疗48例胫骨平台骨折患者,术后注重早期康复锻炼,获得满意疗效。 1材料与方法 1．1病例资料本组48例,男33例,女15例,年龄21-60岁。闭合性骨折43例,开放性骨折5例。按Schatker分型：Ⅰ型6例,Ⅱ型12例,Ⅲ型12例,Ⅳ型10例,Ⅴ型5例,Ⅵ型3例。合并伤：半月板损伤8例,前交叉韧带损伤6例,内侧副韧带损伤3例。手术时问为伤后2h～7d。开放性损伤均急诊手术治疗,闭合性损伤根据软组织情况择期手术治疗。     

带锁髓内钉治疗胫骨开放性骨折35例

1998年7月-2005年1月,我们对开放性胫腓骨骨折根据开放污染程度及受伤时间,分别采取一期带锁髓内钉、早期牵引或石膏固定并抗感染后二期带锁髓内钉内固定,疗效满意。     

关节镜导引下胫骨平台骨折的微创治疗

目的探讨在关节镜导引下对胫骨平台骨折进行微创治疗的手术方法及近期疗效。方法12例胫骨平台骨折,Schatzker分型为Ⅰ型4例,Ⅱ型2例,Ⅲ型5例,Ⅳ型1例。术前摄X片和CT平扫,术中在关节镜导引下,首先对合并损伤进行相应处理,然后对骨折进行解剖复位,通过螺钉和克氏针等固定,最后C形臂X线机透视确认,术后坚持早锻炼、晚负重的原则。结果所有患者均在3个月骨性愈合,未出现切口愈合不良、感染和骨筋膜间隔综合征等早期并发症,随访6~10个月,无创伤性膝关节炎和膝关节内翻、外翻畸形。根据Rasmussen评分,11例为优良,1例SchatzkerⅢ型为可,本组评分为(26±3)。结论在治疗SchatzkerⅠ~Ⅳ型胫骨平台骨折时,采用关节镜导引下的小切口结合少量固定的手术,具有创伤小、可同时处理关节腔内的其他损伤等优势,可以获得骨折愈合快、膝关节功能良好的近期疗效,值得推广应用。     

前外侧切口治疗合并腓骨骨折的胫骨Pilon骨折

正2011年3月~2014年10月,我科采用切开复位腓骨解剖钢板胫骨L型锁定钢板内固定治疗18例合并腓骨骨折的胫骨Pilon骨折患者,疗效满意,报道如下。1材料与方法1.1病例资料本组18例,男11例,女7例,年龄19~70岁。骨折RüediAllgower分型:Ⅰ型1例,Ⅱ型16例,Ⅲ型1例。均为新鲜闭合骨折。伤后7~10 d待皮肤皱纹出现后行手术治疗。     

The significance of segmental fibular fractures in the management of associated tibial fractures

One hundred seventy-six patients with 179 tibial shaft fractures (between March 2003 and August 2007) with a minimum of 4 months follow up were retrospectively reviewed by the author. Twenty-nine of these fractures were found to have segmental fibular fractures. These 29 fractures were analysed and compared with the total of 179 tibial fractures. Segmental tibial fractures with and without segmental tibial comminution were also analysed and compared.The segmental fibular fracture group had a greater incidence of associated injuries, associated fractures, open tibial fractures, Gustilo III B type fractures, major flap procedures, bony infection and bone grafting procedures which was statistically significant. The coincidence of segmental fibular fractures and segmental tibial fracture with segmental comminution indicated a bad prognosis. Segmental fibular fracture (associated with tibial fracture) appear more severe injury than segmental tibial fracture.     

伴有后髁塌陷的胫骨平台骨折的手术治疗

目的：探讨伴有后髁塌陷的胫骨平台骨折的手术入路及疗效。方法对35例伴有后髁塌陷的胫骨平台骨折患者行手术治疗，采用后内侧入路15例，后外侧入路11例，后内外联合入路9例。结果患者均获随访，时间12～26个月。患者骨折均愈合，根据 HSS 评分：优16例，良13例，中6例，优良率为82．9％。结论治疗伴有后髁塌陷的胫骨平台骨折，根据骨折部位采用后内侧、后外侧或后内外联合切口入路手术，具有暴露清楚、内固定放置安全、创伤小、临床疗效好等优点。