Soft tissue coverage in open fractures of tibia

Background:

The treatment of Gustilo Anderson type 3B open fracture tibia is a major challenge and it needs aggressive debridement, adequate fixation, and early flap coverage of soft tissue defect. The flaps could be either nonmicrovascular which are technically less demanding or microvascular which has steep learning curve and available only in few centers. An orthopedic surgeon with basic knowledge of the local vascular anatomy required to harvest an appropriate local or regional flap will be able to manage a vast majority of open fracture tibia, leaving the very few complicated cases needing a free microvascular flap to be referred to specialized tertiary center. This logical approach to the common problem will also lessen the burden on the higher tertiary centers. We report a retrospective study of open fractures of leg treated by nonmicrovascular flaps to analyze (1) the role of nonmicrovascular flap coverage in type 3B open tibial fractures; (2) to suggest a simple algorithm of different nonmicrovascular flaps in different zones and compartment of the leg, and to (3) analyze the final outcome with regards to time taken for union and complications.

Materials and Methods:

One hundered and fifty one cases of Gustilo Anderson type 3B open fracture tibia which needed flap cover for soft tissue injury were included in the study. Ninety four cases were treated in acute stage by debridement; fracture fixation and early flap cover within 10 days. Thirty-eight cases were treated between 10 days to 6 weeks in subacute stage. The rest 19 cases were treated in chronic stage after 6 weeks. The soft tissue defect was treated by various nonmicrovascular flaps depending on the location of the defect.

Results:

All 151 cases were followed till the raw areas were covered. In seven cases secondary flaps were required when the primary flaps failed either totally or partially. Ten patients underwent amputation. Twenty-two patients were lost to followup after the wound coverage. Out of the remaining 119 patients, 76 achieved primary acceptable union and 43 patients went into delayed or nonunion. These 43 patients needed secondary reconstructive surgery for fracture union.

Conclusion:

open fracture of the tibia which needs flap coverage should be treated with high priority of radical early debridement, rigid fixation, and early flap coverage. A majority of these wounds can be satisfactorily covered with local or regional nonmicrovascular flaps.     

早期软组织覆盖成形在重度开放性胫骨骨折治疗中的作用

目的　研究早期软组织覆盖成形在重度开放性胫骨骨折治疗中的作用。　方法　Ⅲb型开放性胫骨骨折 76侧按软组织覆盖成形的时间不同分为三组。早期 (0～ 7d) 31侧 ,中期 (8～ 30d)2 4侧 ,晚期 (>30d) 2 1侧。比较各组感染、骨不愈合等并发症的发病率和平均骨折愈合时间。　结果　早期软组织覆盖成形组深部感染、骨折不愈合等并发症的发生率 (6 5 % ,12 9% )明显低于中、晚期组 (5 0 0 %、47 6 %和 37 5 %、38 1% ) ,平均骨折愈合时间 (5 0周 )少于中、晚期组 (78周和 82周 )。　结论　早期软组织覆盖成形可明显减少重度开放性胫骨骨折的并发症 ,缩短骨愈合时间。“早期”应尽量限于 1周内 ,1周后医源性感染的机会将会增加。     

Severe open fractures of the tibia

Sixty-two Type-III open fractures of the tibial shaft are reported on. Eleven were Type IIIA, and three of them had non-union while none were associated with deep infection or required secondary amputation. Forty-two were Type IIIB, and fifteen of them had non-union, twelve were associated with deep infection, and seven required secondary amputation. However, in the twenty-four Type-IIIB fractures that were treated with early restoration of the damaged soft tissue by local flaps or free tissue transfer, the rate of complications was significantly reduced to five non-unions, two deep infections, and two secondary amputations. Unfortunately, of the nine Type-IIIC injuries, seven ultimately required secondary amputation, from two days to sixty-three months after the initial injury, because of pain, sepsis, non-union, or failure of the vascular repair. Only two patients who had a Type-IIIC fracture have avoided amputation to date, and their results were poor.     

Principles of secondary soft tissue reconstruction after open fractures of the tibia

Course and prognosis of open lower leg fractures are significantly influenced by the concomitant soft tissue injury. Selection and timing of therapeutic procedures determine the final outcome. Fracture stabilisation takes priority. Early soft tissue coverage should be achieved by local cutaneous or fasciocutaneous flaps. Exposed bone can be covered by transposed local musculature. Especially in the distal third as well as in extensive soft tissue loss the microsurgical transplantation of free flaps is advantageous. Tissue expansion can provide skin for secondary replacement of instable scars.     

Soft tissue coverage of the distal third of the tibia with fasciocutaneous propeller flaps

BACKGROUND: The distal third of the tibia is often only amenable to free tissue transfer to cover exposed bone, tendons and neurovascular structures. Using relatively constant perforators of the tibial and peroneal vessels, soft tissue coverage can be achieved with so-called propeller flaps. METHODS: 8 patients presenting with post-traumatic defects over the lateral malleolus and the Achilles tendon were included in this study. A propeller flap based on perforators from the peroneal or tibial artery was used to cover the defect. RESULTS: One case of partial flap necrosis was encountered in a diabetic patient. Transient venous congestion of the flap tip was witnessed in two instances, which resolved without further intervention. No other complications occurred. All patients were fully ambulatory within 8 weeks, except for 1 patient, who required a below-knee amputation. CONCLUSION: The propeller flap has proven to be a versatile and elegant method to obtain soft tissue coverage with local tissue. Contrary to conventional rotation flaps, direct closure of the donor site is possible. Patients are not impaired by bulky flaps and may wear normal shoes. Even in the elderly, this flap was successful.     

Unreamed interlocking nailing in open fractures of tibia

PURPOSE: To assess the clinical outcome of unreamed intramedullary interlocking nailing in open fractures of tibia, and to evaluate the incidence of complications in these open fractures as a result of the unreamed intramedullary nailing. METHODS: Between June 1999 and May 2000, a total of 60 cases of open tibial shaft fractures were operated on with unreamed interlocking nails at Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, India. Records of 56 patients (4 women and 52 men) were available for study. Only injuries associated with the tibial shaft were included. Traffic accidents were the cause of fractures in all patients. All fractures were classified according to Gustilo and Anderson system for open fractures. There were 30 (53.6%) type-I, 18 (32.1%) type-II, 4 (7.1%) type-IIIA, and 4 (7.1%) type-IIIB fractures. After thorough debridement under anaesthesia, an unreamed interlocking nail was inserted with assistance by an image intensifier. All nails were statically locked with one screw each proximally and distally. RESULTS: The patients were followed up for a mean period of 20 months (range, 18-24 months) and were evaluated according to the modified Ketenjian's criteria. Results were good to excellent in 85.8% cases, and poor in 10.7% cases. Only 2 of 8 patients with type-III fractures had good results. Two of 4 type-IIIA and all 4 type-IIIB fractures had chronic osteomyelitis. Of 56 patients, 6 had early infection, 6 had delayed union, 6 had infected non-union, 2 had nail breakage, 8 had screw breakage, and 10 had anterior knee pain. CONCLUSION: Unreamed interlocking tibial nailing can be safely used for type-I and type-II open injuries even with delayed presentation. Use of unreamed nailing in those type-III fractures with delayed presentation was not recommended, because of high incidence of complications.     

Management of soft-tissue coverage of open tibia fractures in Latin America: Techniques,timing, and resources

PurposeThis study examined soft-tissue coverage techniques of open tibia fractures, described soft-tissue treatment patterns across income groups, and determined resource accessibility and availability in Latin America.MethodsA 36-question survey was distributed to orthopaedic surgeons in Latin America through two networks: national orthopaedic societies and the Asociación de Cirujanos Traumatólogos de las Américas (ACTUAR). Demographic information was collected, and responses were stratified by income groups: high-income countries (HICs) and middle-income countries (MICs).ResultsThe survey was completed by 469 orthopaedic surgeons, representing 19 countries in Latin America (2 HICs and 17 MICs). Most respondents were male (89%), completed residency training (96%), and were fellowship-trained (71%). Only 44% of the respondents had received soft-tissue training. Respondents (77%) reported a strong interest in attending a soft-tissue training course. Plastic surgeons were more commonly the primary providers for Gustilo Anderson (GA) Type IIIB injuries in HICs than in MICs (100% vs. 47%, p<0.01) and plastic surgeons were more available (<24 h of patient presentation to the hospital) in HICs than MICs (63% vs. 26%, p = 0.05), demonstrating statistically significant differences. In addition, respondents in HICs performed free flaps more commonly than in MICs for proximal third (55% vs. 10%, p<0.01), middle third (36% vs. 9%, p = 0.02), and distal third (55% vs. 10%, p<0.01) lower extremity wounds. Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT or Wound VAC) was the only resource available to more than half of the respondents. Though not statistically significant, surgeons reported having more access to plastic surgeons at their institutions in HICs than MICs (91% vs. 62%, p = 0.12) and performed microsurgical flaps more commonly at their respective institutions (73% vs. 42%, p = 0.06).ConclusionsThe study demonstrated that most orthopaedic surgeons in Latin America have received no soft-tissue training, HICs and MICs have differences in access to plastic surgeons and expectations for flap type and timing to definitive coverage, and most respondents had limited access to necessary soft-tissue surgical resources. Further investigation into differences in the clinical outcomes related to soft-tissue coverage methods and protocols can provide additional insight into the importance of timing and access to specialists.     

开放性Pilon骨折的治疗

我院1998～2004年共治疗开放性Pilon骨折29例,疗效满意。1材料与方法1.1病例资料本组29例,男18例,女11例,年龄25～67岁。高处坠落伤15例,交通事故伤14例;其中27例合并腓骨骨折。受伤至手术清创固定时间为50min～6h。根据Ruedi-Allgower骨折分型方法:Ⅱ型7例,Ⅲ型22例。开放性骨折按Gustilo分型:Ⅰ度12例,Ⅱ度11例,Ⅲ度6例。1.2治疗方法行急诊清创缝合并同时行内固定。常规清创,先于腓骨后的小腿外侧切口复位选用加压钢板或1/3半管形钢板固定,恢复腓骨的长度。再于小腿前内侧创口或切口显露胫骨下端关节面的骨折,重建关节面后,用螺钉、克氏…     

Plate fixation of open fractures of the tibia

The results of immediate plate fixation of 97 open fractures of the tibial shaft in 95 patients are reported. Significant joint stiffness occurred in 11.4% and angular malunion of greater than 5 degrees in any plane was seen in 3.1%. The infection rate was 10.3%. However, even in those cases which develop delayed union or other complications, plate fixation of open fractures can produce excellent recovery of limb function.     

Soft tissue coverage in devastating hand injuries

Plastic surgical therapy of mutilating hand injuries represents a multifaceted task to the hand surgeon, where considerations about indication, timing, and structure of the soft tissue coverage play a major role in reconstruction. The concept of early primary reconstruction (including emergency procedures) and fast rehabilitation not only demands thoughtful tissue preparation but also mastering of a bandwidth of plastic surgical techniques. Systematic algorithms based on the reconstructive ladder help in decision making in the complexity of soft tissue coverage but have to be adjusted to the individual case profile. General considerations and strategic planning are explained and illustrated by three clinical cases.     

Aggressive debridement and early soft tissue coverage of 3d degree open tibial fractures

93 patients with grade III open tibial fractures were treated without a treatment protocol from 1980 to 1982. This group is compared to 147 pts. managed between 1983 to 1986 according to a standardized prospectively designed protocol with aggressive debridement augmented by pulsatile Jet-lavage. Serial debridement were performed at 48-hour intervales until early soft-tissue coverage were obtained using local or free muscle-flaps. The mean follow-up was 80 months respectively 44 months. --The aggressive regimen led to a statistically significant decrease in infection (30% vs 12%), nonunion (16% vs 6%), amputation (18% vs 6%) and combined hospitalization-periods (137 vs 74 days) [all p less than 0.001]. The aggressively treated groups showed a trend toward early fracture-healing (30 vs 23 weeks) although this was not statistically significant.     

Soft tissue coverage for posttraumatic reconstruction

Posttraumatic foot and ankle reconstruction requires careful preoperative planning to reduce wound complications. Systemic and local factors need to be considered. A careful surgical technique can avoid the need for surgical soft tissue coverage. Recognition of the need for coverage preoperatively improves outcomes. Often, dressings and time allow minor wound complications to heal. More severe wound issues require early soft tissue coverage by local or free flaps to prevent failure of the surgery.     

Soft tissue complications and their reconstruction following osteosynthesis of open tibial fractures]

The nowadays accepted principles of the treament of open leg fractures are discussed. The open character of the lesion multiplies the possibilities of complications. In the present paper the complications of the bone recovery are not dealt with, only the complications observed in the soft parts and the possibilities of their treatment are analysed by the authors. According to the severity of the soft parts complications free transplantation of semi-thick skin, pedicle flap plasty, double-end graft plasty, crossed flap grafting, as well as the primary and secondary variations of these methods are used by the authors. The satisfactory results obtained with these methods even in spite of the complications are pointed out by the authors.     

Soft tissue coverage of mandibular reconstruction plates

Free tissue transfer was compared to pectoralis major flap coverage of mandibular reconstruction plates in a retrospective review. The study group consisted of 14 patients whose composite defects were reconstructed with metal plates covered with either pectoralis flaps (9) or soft tissue free flaps (5). Four patients in the pectoralis group (44%) had plates that extruded compared to none in the free flap group. The mean operating room time for the free flap group (721 minutes) was longer than the pectoralis group (550 minutes), but the overall hospital stay for the free flap group (20 days) was half that of the pectoralis group (39 days). The pectoralis group required more secondary procedures (88%) than the free flap group (20%). Free flaps have a higher success rate, a shorter hospital stay, and require fewer additional procedures than do pectoralis flaps. This justifies the longer operating time and greater technical complexity of free tissue transfer for reliable coverage of mandibular reconstruction plates. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.