Complications of Open Tibial Fracture Management: Risk Factors and Treatment
Journal Title: Malaysian Orthopaedic Journal - Year 2017, Vol 11, Issue 1
Abstract
Open tibial fractures result in high rates of complications. This study aims to elucidate the risk factors causing these complications, and suggest antimicrobial regimens based on the organisms grown in post-operative infections. Over a period of five years, 173 patients had sustained open tibial fractures and undergone operative treatment at a single institution. All surgical data was gathered retrospectively through online medical records. Thirty-one patients (17.9%) had sustained post-operative bony complications, while infective complications were reported in 37 patients (21.4%). Patients with Gustilo type III fractures were found to be more than three times as likely to sustain post-operative infective (p=0.007) or bony (p=0.015) complications, compared to Gustilo type I or II fractures. The fracture location and time taken to fixation did not significantly affect the complication rate, but results were trending towards significance. The commonest cause of infective complications were hospital-acquired organisms, such as Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (40.5%). Closer monitoring of patients sustaining high grade Gustilo open fractures, as well as antimicrobial prophylaxis for both hospital-acquired organisms and environmental contaminants, will result in the best outcome for patients. Further studies with larger sample sizes are warranted, to determine the significance of fracture location and time taken to fixation on complication rates.
Authors and Affiliations
Lua JYC, Tan VH, Sivasubramanian H, Kwek EBK
Comparison of Fusion Rate Between Autogenous Tricortical Iliac Crest Bone Graft and Hydroxyapatite Block Graft in Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion Surgery
Objective: To compare the fusion rate between autogenous tricortical iliac crest bone graft and hydroxyapatite block graft in anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) surgery. Methodology: Retrospective review of...
The Effectiveness of Intravenous Morphine Infusion as Preemptive Analgesia in Preventing Phantom Limb Pain Following Lower Limb Amputation
Phantom limb pain may reduce ambulation and mobility in amputees, resulting in diminished quality of life. We conducted a prospective study to compare the perioperative analgesic use of intravenous morphine infusion in 2...
Comparative Study Between Coaptive Film Versus Suture For Wound Closure After Long Bone Fracture Fixation
Background: Coaptive film (i.e., Steri-StripsTM) is an adhesive tape used to replace sutures in wound closure. The use of coaptive film for wound closure after long bone fracture fixation has not been well documented in...
The Role of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) in Diagnosis of Spine Tuberculosis after Pre-operative Anti-tuberculosis Treatment
Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the diagnosis of spinal tuberculosis after 2 weeks of preoperative anti-tuberculosis treatment and to compare PCR to the Löw...
Clinical Outcome of Medial Opening Wedge Osteotomy with T-Locking Plate : Two Years Follow-Up
Objective: This study was undertaken to determine clinical outcome after medial opening wedge osteotomy with T-locking plate, with two- year follow up. Twenty-two patients (22 knees) who underwent medial opening wedge os...