Open Tibial Fractures: Updated Guidelines for Management

Flap coverage within 8 days does not increase fracture-related infection risk: results of a protocol implementation in a developing country

INTRODUCTION

Open tibia fractures that require a soft tissue flap for adequate coverage (Gustilo- Anderson IIIB) are a significant challenge for trauma units. The incidence of fracture-related infection (FRI) has been reported to range between 10% and 52%. Early antibiotic therapy, followed by surgical debridement and early soft tissue coverage, is considered a safe and effective treatment. Typically, the gold standard is the "fix and flap" approach. However, local circumstances can impact the feasibility of early flap coverage. This study aims to determine whether there is a safe window for soft tissue coverage when an immediate ortho-plastic approach is not available.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this retrospective analysis of a prospective cohort of 803 patients who sustained a tibia fracture and were treated in a level I trauma centre in a developing country, we describe a local protocol of management. Of all the patients, 61 met the inclusion criteria and were followed for at least 12 months after flap coverage. The primary outcome was the development of FRI.

RESULTS

Patients who underwent flap surgery within 8 days of the fracture, following the local protocol, had a 12.5% infection rate.

CONCLUSIONS

Utilizing a standardized management protocol followed by soft tissue flap coverage performed within 8 days is safe and effective in reducing the risk of developing FRI in open tibia fractures GA IIIB.

Treatment preferences and current practices regarding open tibial shaft fractures

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to reveal the treatment preferences and current practices regarding open tibial shaft fracture (OTSF).

Patients and methods

Online surveys of treatment preferences and current practice of OTSF were conducted by orthopedic trauma doctors from various medical institutions in Zhejiang Province. The survey contains three modules. The first module is the basic information of the participants, the second module is the treatment patterns for Gustilo-Anderson type I-II (GA I/II), and the third module is the treatment patterns for Gustilo-Anderson type IIIA (GA IIIA). Furthermore, each treatment pattern was divided into four aspects, including antibiotic prophylaxis, irrigation and debridement, fracture stabilization, and wound management.

Results

A total of 132 orthopedic trauma doctors from 41 hospitals in Zhejiang province, participated the online surveys. In GA I-IIIA OTSF, more than three-quarters of participants considered <3 h as the appropriate timing of antibiotic administration after trauma. In fact, only 41.67% of participants administered antibiotics within 3 h after trauma. 90.91 and 86.36% of participants thought debridement within 6 h was reasonable for GA I/II and GA IIIA OTSF, respectively. However, in reality only about half of patients received debridement within 6 h on average. The most common reason for delayed debridement was patients' transport delay. 87.88 and 97.3% of participants preferred secondary internal fixation following external fixation for GA I/II and GA IIIA OTSF, respectively. Additionally, over half of participants preferred use of locking plate for treating GA I-IIIA OTSF. The most common reasons for choosing delayed internal fixation for GA I-IIIA OTSF were infection risk and damage control. 78.79 and 65.91% supported immediate internal fixation after removing the external fixation for GA I-IIIA OTSF, respectively. Regarding wound closure, 86.36 and 63.64% of participants reported primary closure for GA I/II and GA IIIA OTSF, respectively. Over three fourths of participants agreed that preoperative and postoperative multiple wound cultures should be performed to predict infection for GA I-IIIA OTSF.

Conclusion

The study first presents the current preference and practice regarding management of GA I-IIIA OTSF in Zhejiang. Majority of surgeons in our study preferred secondary internal fixation following external fixation for GA I-IIIA OTSF and over half of surgeons preferred use of locking plate for treating GA I-IIIA OTSF. This study may provide a reference for trauma orthopedic surgeons in the treatment of GA I-IIIA OTSF.

A systematic review and meta-analysis comparing suprapatellar versus infrapatellar approach intramedullary nailing for tibal shaft fractures

BACKGROUND

The application of the suprapatellar (SP) approach has challenged the traditional infrapatellar (IP) approach in the surgery treatment of tibial shaft fractures, yet the advantages and disadvantages still remain controversial. We included more high-quality studies for this meta-analysis and systematic review to evaluate the clinical outcomes and prognosis of both approaches and thus to provide new ideas for surgeons.

METHOD

We searched literatures from PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and EMBASE databases from January 2000 to December 2022. We extracted general information including sample size, gender, proportion of open fracture, follow-up time, and outcome indicators including entrance accuracy, fluoroscopy time, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, Lysholm score, VAS pain score, range of motion (ROM) function score, reposition accuracy, and revision cases. Cochrane Collaboration's tool and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale were used to evaluate literature qualities. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4 software.

RESULTS

A total of 23 studies were generated that qualified for inclusion, 17 of which were used for meta-analysis. This study found statistically significant differences in coronal plane entrance accuracy, fluoroscopy time, Lysholm score, and VAS pain score.

CONCLUSION

The results of our meta-analysis showed that the SP approach was significantly better than the IP approach in angle and distance entrance accuracy of coronal plane, angle entrance accuracy of sagittal plane, fluoroscopy time, Lysholm score, and VAS pain score. There were no significant differences in sagittal angle accuracy, operative time, intraoperative blood loss, and ROM score.

Financial Analysis of Preoperative Nasal Decolonization With Povidone-Iodine in Closed Pilon Fracture Definitive Fixation

The purpose of this study is to determine the financial practicality for the use of nasal povidone-iodine (NP-I) in the preoperative holding area in attempt to decrease the rate of infection that is associated with operative fixation of closed pilon fractures. Institutional costs for treating postoperative infection following a closed pilon fracture, along with costs associated with preoperative NP-I use, were obtained. A break-even equation was used to analyze these costs to determine if the use of NP-I would decrease the current infection rate (17%) enough to be financially beneficial for routine use preoperatively. The total cost of treating a postoperative infection was found to be $18,912, with the cost of NP-I being $30 per patient dose. Considering a 17% infection rate and utilizing the break-even equation, NP-I was found to be economically viable if it decreased the current infection rate by 0.0016% (Number Needed to Treat = 63,051.7). This break-even model suggests that the use of NP-I in the preoperative holding area is financially beneficial for decreasing the rate of infection associated with the treatment of closed pilon fractures.

External fixation versus intramedullary nailing for the management of open tibial fracture: meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

AIM

Tibial shaft fractures are the most common type of long-bone fractures. External fixation (EF) and intramedullary nailing (IMN) are widely used surgical techniques for the definitive fixation of open tibial shaft fractures. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to compare EF to IMN for the definitive fixation of open tibial fractures.

METHODS

Medline, Embase, and CENTRAL databases were searched for eligible studies. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared EF to IMN for skeletally mature adults with open tibial fracture (Gustilo I, II, and III). We evaluated the following outcomes: superficial infection, pin-track infection, deep infection, malunion, nonunion, delayed union, and implant/hardware failure. The risk ratio (RR) was used to represent the desired outcomes. The statistical analysis was performed using the random-effects model.

RESULTS

A total of 12 RCTs that enrolled 1090 participants were deemed eligible for the analysis. EF showed a significantly higher rate of superficial infection, pin track infection, and malunion compared to IMN (RR = 2.30, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.34 to 3.95; RR = 13.52, 95% CI: 6.16 to 29.66; RR = 2.29, 95% CI 1.41 to 3.73, respectively). No substantial difference was found between EF and IMN in terms of deep infection, nonunion, delayed union, or implant/hardware failure (RR = 1.15, 95% CI 0.67 to 1.98; RR = 0.92, 95% CI 0.77 to 1.10; RR = 1.50, 95% CI 0.98 to 3.33; RR = 0.96, 95% CI 0.36 to 2.60, respectively).

DISCUSSION

The findings of our meta-analysis are consistent with the previous systematic reviews excepts for the implant/hardware failure which was found to be significant in favour of IMN by one of the previous reviews.

CONCLUSION

This meta-analysis confirms that IMN is better than EF with respect to clinical outcomes and complication rate for the definitive fixation of open tibial fracture.

Traffic Accidents in Children and Adolescents: A Complex Orthopedic and Medico-Legal Approach

Traffic accidents involving children and adolescents present complex challenges from both the medico-legal and orthopedic standpoints. Despite the implementation of road traffic safety laws, pediatric road traffic injuries continue to be a significant contributor to mortality rates, physical harm, and hospitalization on a global scale. For children and young people, automobile accidents are considered to be the primary culprit of mortality in developed nations. Even in highly developed nations, trauma is a significant factor in infant mortality. Each age category, from childhood to young adulthood, has its fracture patterns, as their skeletons are considerably different from those of adults. The consequences of traffic accidents extend beyond the immediate physical trauma. The medico-legal aspects surrounding these incidents add another layer of complexity, as legal repercussions may affect the responsible adult or parent, particularly in cases involving child fatalities. To effectively address traffic accidents in children and adolescents, a comprehensive approach is necessary. This approach should involve not only medical professionals but also legal experts and policymakers. Collaboration between orthopedic specialists, medico-legal professionals, law enforcement agencies, and relevant government bodies can facilitate the development and implementation of strategies aimed at prevention, education, the enforcement of traffic laws, and improved infrastructure. By addressing both the medical and legal aspects, it is possible to enhance road safety for children and adolescents, reducing the incidence of injuries and their associated long-term consequences. In this review, we aimed to summarize traffic accidents in children and adolescents from a complex orthopedic and medico-legal approach.

Open tibial shaft fractures: treatment patterns in sub-Saharan Africa

Objective

Open tibial shaft fractures are a leading cause of disability worldwide, particularly in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). Guidelines for these injuries have been developed in many high-income countries, but treatment patterns across Africa are less well-documented.

Methods

A survey was distributed to orthopaedic service providers across sub-Saharan Africa. Information gathered included surgeon and practice setting demographics and treatment preferences for open tibial shaft fractures across 3 domains: initial debridement, antibiotic administration, and fracture stabilization. Responses were grouped according to country income level and were compared between LMICs and upper middle-income countries (UMICs).

Results

Responses from 261 survey participants from 31 countries were analyzed, with 80% of respondents practicing in LMICs. Most respondents were male practicing orthopaedic surgeons at a tertiary referral hospital. For all respondents, initial debridement occurred most frequently in the operating room (OR) within the first 24 hours, but LMIC surgeons more frequently reported delays due to equipment availability, treatment cost, and OR availability. Compared with their UMIC counterparts, LMIC surgeons less frequently confirmed tetanus vaccination status and more frequently used extended courses of postoperative antibiotics. LMIC surgeons reported lower rates of using internal fixation, particularly for high-grade and late-presenting fractures.

Conclusions

This study describes management characteristics of open tibial shaft fractures in sub-Saharan Africa. Notably, there were reported differences in wound management, antibiotic administration, and fracture stabilization between LMICs and UMICs. These findings suggest opportunities for standardization where evidence is available and further research where it is lacking.

Level of Evidence

VI-Cross-Sectional Study.

Go with the flow: An experimental analysis with tubing alternative with irrigation

Background and Aims

Literature regarding alternative tubing for fluid delivery in irrigation and debridement procedures is lacking. The purpose of this study was to compare three different apparatuses with varying quantities of irrigation fluid to assess efficiency of administration and evaluate overall time for fluid administration.

Methods

This model was designed to compare available methods of gravity irrigation used in practice. Fluid flow time was measured for three types of tubing: single-lumen cystoscopy tubing, Y-type double-lumen cystoscopy tubing, and nonconductive suction tubing. Irrigation times were assessed for varying volumes of 3, 6, and 9 L to investigate the relationship between bag changes and irrigation time. Bag changes were not conducted for the 3 L trial, but were for 6 and 9 L trials. Dimensions of cystoscopy tubing consisted of 4.95 mm internal diameter and 2.1 m length in both single-lumen and Y-type double-lumen apparatus. Nonconduction suction tubing dimensions were 6.0 mm internal diameter and standard 3.7 m in length.

Results

The mean flow time for suction tubing was significantly faster than the cystoscopy tubing for the 3 and 9 L trials (p < 0.001). At 6 L, flow time for the suction tubing and the double lumen cystoscopy tubing were similar, 264 versus 260 s, respectively. At 9 L, the mean flow time for the suction tubing was 80 s faster (410 vs. 491 s) compared with single-lumen cystoscopy and was nearly 30 s faster compared with Y-type cystoscopy tubing.

Conclusion

The results of this study provide insight into a faster, widely available, and cost-efficient alternative to commonly used cystoscopy tubing.

Functional and radiological outcomes of primary ring fixator versus antibiotic nail in open tibial diaphyseal fractures: A prospective study

BACKGROUND

Management of open fractures of tibia is still a matter of debate due to high incidence of infections. Traditionally external fixators have been advocated in managing open tibial fractures. Due to limited efficacy of systemic antibiotics, recently antibiotic coated intramedullary interlocking nails have been developed for the management of open tibia fractures. Therefore, we conducted this prospective randomized study to compare the functional and radiological outcomes of primary ring fixator versus antibiotic coated nail in open diaphyseal tibial fractures.

METHODS

The study included 32 patients with Gustilo-Anderson type II and type IIIA fractures of tibial diaphysis. Out of them 16 patients were managed with Ring External Fixator (Group I) and 16 were managed with Ossipro^Ò gentamicin intramedullary interlocking tibial nail (Group II). The radiological and functional outcomes were assessed at final follow-up according to and SMFA criteria. Statistical analysis of the data was performed using IBM SPSS statistics 2.0 software. Chi square test and independent student t-test were used and a P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant RESULTS: Union was achieved in 15 patients (93.8%) in group I and 13 patients (81.2%) in group II. Pin tract infection was seen in 6 patients (37.5%) in group I, whereas infection was present in 2 patients (12.5%) in group II. Bone results were excellent in 13 patients (81.3%), good in 2 patients (12.5%), poor in one patient (6.3%). In group II, bone results were excellent in 12 patients (75%), good in one patient (6.2%), poor in 3 patients (18.8%). At 1 year of final follow up, mean SMFA score was 24.41±5.87 in group I, whereas mean SMFA score was 23.703±8.02 in group II.

CONCLUSION

Ring fixator as well as antibiotic coated tibial interlocking nail achieved comparable rates of union in the present study. Complication rates were similar in both the groups and the functional and radiological outcomes were comparable in both groups. Results of this study indicate that although ring fixation is an established option for management of open tibial fractures, antibiotic-coated intramedullary nail is also a reliable option in open Grade II and grade IIIA injuries.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level II.

Outcomes and Incidence of Deep Bone Infection in Grade III Diaphyseal Open Tibial Fractures: Circular Fixator vs Intramedullary Nail

Introduction

High-energy grade III open fractures of tibia are associated with significant complications and generate debate over the ideal fixation method. This study compares the clinical outcomes for circular frame fixation (CFF) vs intramedullary nail fixation (IMF) in grade III open tibial fractures.

Materials and methods

Single-centre retrospective study of patients admitted from January 2008 to December 2016. All patients with grade III open diaphyseal tibial fractures (AO 42 A, B, C), treated with either CFF or IMF, were included. The primary outcome was deep bone infection (DBI). Secondary outcomes were delayed or non-union, secondary intervention, and amputation.

Results

A total of 48 limbs in 47 patients had CFF, and 25 limbs in 23 patients had IMF. Median time to definitive fixation was significantly longer for CFF at 9 days (IQR 3–13) compared to IMF at 1 day (IQR 0–3.5) (p <0.001). The DBI rate was significantly lower (2 vs 16%) in the CFF group (p = 0.04). There were 14 limbs (29%) with delayed or non-union in the CFF group vs 5 limbs (20%) in the IMF group. In the CFF group, significantly more limbs required bone grafting for delayed or non-union (p = 0.03). However, there was a greater proportion of limbs in the CFF group with segmental fractures or bone loss (46 vs 4%) and these high-energy fracture patterns were associated with secondary bone grafting (p = 0.005), and with delayed or non-union (p = 0.03). A subgroup analysis of patients without segmental fractures or bone loss treated with either CFF or IMF showed no significant difference in secondary bone grafting (p >0.99) and delayed or non-union rates (p = 0.72). Overall, one patient in each group went on to have an amputation.

Conclusion

Our study found that CFF had a lower rate of DBI compared to IMF. Injuries with high-energy fracture patterns (segmental fractures or bone loss) were more likely to have delayed or non-union and require secondary bone grafting. These factors should be considered when selecting the appropriate method of definitive fixation.

How to cite this article

Natalwala I, Chuo CB, Shariatmadari I, et al. Outcomes and Incidence of Deep Bone Infection in Grade III Diaphyseal Open Tibial Fractures: Circular Fixator vs Intramedullary Nail. Strategies Trauma Limb Reconstr 2021;16(3):161–167.

Comparative study of functional outcomes between OTA/AO type C, Gustilo type I/II open fractures and closed fractures of the distal humerus treated by open reduction and internal fixation

Background

To evaluate the difference of functional outcomes between OTA/AO type C, Gustilo type I/II open fractures and closed fractures of the distal humerus after open reduction and internal fixation.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of patients with OTA/AO-C distal humerus fractures who were treated in our department from January 2014 to December 2016. The patients were divided into an open fracture group and a closed fracture group. Their baseline characteristics and functional outcomes were analyzed and compared.

Results

A total of 64 patients treated by operative fixation were identified (25 open and 39 closed injuries), and the average follow-up time was 35.1 ± 13.6 months. There were no significant differences in the range of motion (ROM) of the elbow, Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS), Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score, complications, hospitalization time, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, or medical costs between the two groups (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

OTA/AO type C, Gustilo I/II distal humeral open fractures can yield satisfactory clinical results similar to those of closed distal humeral fractures after open reduction and internal fixation.

Level of evidence

Therapeutic Level III; Retrospective Cohort Comparison; Treatment Study.

External fixator combined with three different fixation methods of fibula for treatment of extra-articular open fractures of distal tibia and fibula: a retrospective study

Background

To compare the efficacy of three different fixation methods of fibula combined with external fixation of tibia for the treatment of extra-articular open fractures of distal tibia and fibula.

Methods

From January 2017 to July 2019, 91 cases of open fractures of distal tibia and fibula were treated with external fixator, and the fibula was fixed with non-fixation (group A, n = 35), plate-screw (group B, n = 30) and Kirschner wire (group C, n = 26). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, surgical and implants costs, fracture healing time, postoperative complications, and American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle surgery (AOFAS) scores were compared among the groups.

Results

Four patients were lost to follow-up, and 87 patients were followed up for 5–35 months (average, 14.2 months). The operation time of group C (114.92 ± 36.09 min) was shorter than that of group A (142.27 ± 47.05 min) and group B (184.00 ± 48.56 min) (P < 0.05). There was no difference in intraoperative blood loss among the three groups (P > 0.05). The surgical and implants costs in group C (5.24 ± 1.21, thousand dollars) is lower than that in group A (6.48 ± 1.11, thousand dollars) and group B (9.37 ± 2.16, thousand dollars) (P < 0.05). The fracture healing time of group C (5.67 ± 1.42 months) was significantly less than that of group A (6.90 ± 1.33 months) and group B (6.70 ± 1.12 months) (P < 0.05). The postoperative complications such as fractures delayed union and nonunion in group C (2 cases, 8.00%) is less than that in group A (13 cases, 39.39%) and group B (11cases, 37.93%) (P < 0.05). The wound infection and needle-tract infection did not differ among the three groups (P > 0.05). The excellent or good rate of ankle function was 69.70% in group A, 72.41% in group B and 84.00% in group C, with no statistical difference among the three groups (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

Compared with simple external fixator fixation and external fixator combined with plate-screw osteosynthesis, external fixator combined with K-wire intramedullary fixation shortens the operative time and fracture healing time, reduced costs and complications of fracture healing, while the blood loss, infection complications and ankle function recovery showed no difference with the other two groups. External fixator combined with plate-screw osteosynthesis had no advantage in treating extra-articular open fractures of distal tibia and fibula when compared with simple external fixation.

Effect of COVID-19 on surgical management of open fractures and infection rates: A tertiary care experience in Indian set-up

BACKGROUND

Open fractures form one of the most common musculoskeletal injuries and are often complicated by infection. In this unprecedented situation, the additional infection rates, further add to the burden of the already compromised healthcare setup. The present study is done to see the effect of COVID-19 on management of open fractures.

METHODS

A retrospective evaluation of patients with open fractures from March 25th^, 2020 to July 21st^, 2020 (group 1) and March 25th^, 2019 to July 21st^, 2019 (group 2) was performed. These patients were assessed for demographic details, diagnosis, type of surgery, delay from injury to admission, delay from admission to surgery, postoperative hospital stay, acute infection rates, readmission rates and associated injuries.

RESULTS

A total of 52 patients with 59 open fractures in 2020 and 89 patients with 101 open fractures in 2019 met the inclusion criteria. The mean age was 34.76 years and 32.74 years in 2020 and 2019 respectively. Road side accidents were predominant in both the groups, comprising of 38 (73.07%) and 67 (75.28%) respectively(n.s.); adult patients were 42 (80.76%) and 79 (88.76%) respectively(n.s.); paediatric patients were 10 (19.23%) and 10 (11.23%) respectively(n.s.); tibia was the most common bone involved, comprising of 14 (23.72%) and 27 (26.73%) open fractures respectively(n.s.); external fixator was the most commonly used implant during COVID-19 time with 42 (71.18%) and 51 (50.49%) respectively(p = 0.005); the infection rate was 25.42% and 20.79% respectively(n.s.); the time for administration of first intravenous antibiotic dose was on 6.75 h and 4.04 h respectively(p < 0.0001); average time between the admission and surgical debridement was 24.04 h and 19.32 h respectively(n.s.); referral cases were 33 (63.46%) and 44 (49.43%) respectively(n.s.); re-admission rates were 7/52 (13.46%) and 10/89(11.23%) respectively(n.s.).

CONCLUSION

Despite the decrease in total trauma cases, a delay in presentation to the emergency room/administration of first dose of antibiotic and increase in temporary fixation in form of external fixator was observed. Further, an increase in infection rates, referral cases and readmission rates were observed, though not statistically significant.

Open Tibial Shaft Fractures: Treatment Patterns in Latin America

BACKGROUND

Open tibial shaft fractures are an important source of disability in Latin America. High-income countries (HICs) worldwide have established standardized treatment protocols for open tibial fractures, but less is known about their treatment in middle-income countries (MICs) in Latin America. This survey of Latin American orthopaedic surgeons characterizes open tibial fracture treatment patterns.

METHODS

Orthopaedic surgeons from 20 national orthopaedic societies throughout Latin America completed an online survey assessing their treatment of open tibial fractures. Demographic information was collected. Treatment patterns were queried according to 2 groupings of Gustilo-Anderson (GA) fracture types: treatment of type-I and type-II fractures (GA-I/II) and treatment of type-III fractures (GA-III). Treatment patterns were evaluated across 4 domains: antibiotic prophylaxis, irrigation and debridement, fracture stabilization, and wound management. Summary statistics were reported; analysis was performed using the Fisher exact test (p < 0.05).

RESULTS

There were 616 survey participants from 20 Latin American countries (4 HICs and 16 MICs). Initial external fixation followed by staged internal fixation was preferred for GA-I/II (51.0%) and GA-III fractures (86.0%). Nearly one-third (31.5%) of GA-IIIB fractures did not receive a soft-tissue coverage procedure. Stratifying by country socioeconomic status, surgeons in MICs more commonly utilized delayed internal fixation for GA-I/II (53.3% versus 22.0%, p < 0.001) and GA-III fractures (94.0% versus 80.4%, p = 0.002). Surgeons in MICs more commonly used primary closure for GA-I/II (88.9% versus 62.8%, p < 0.001) and GA-III fractures (32.6% versus 9.8%, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

This survey reports Latin American orthopaedic surgeons' treatment patterns for open tibial shaft fractures. Surgeons in MICs reported higher delayed internal fixation use for all fracture types, while surgeons in HICs more routinely avoid primary closure. Soft-tissue coverage procedures are not performed in nearly one-third of GA-IIIB fractures because of a lack of operative personnel and training.

Staphylococcus aureus Osteomyelitis: Bone, Bugs, and Surgery

Osteomyelitis, or inflammation of bone, is most commonly caused by invasion of bacterial pathogens into the skeleton. Bacterial osteomyelitis is notoriously difficult to treat, in part because of the widespread antimicrobial resistance in the preeminent etiologic agent, the Gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus Bacterial osteomyelitis triggers pathological bone remodeling, which in turn leads to sequestration of infectious foci from innate immune effectors and systemically delivered antimicrobials. Treatment of osteomyelitis therefore typically consists of long courses of antibiotics in conjunction with surgical debridement of necrotic infected tissues. Even with these extreme measures, many patients go on to develop chronic infection or sustain disease comorbidities. A better mechanistic understanding of how bacteria invade, survive within, and trigger pathological remodeling of bone could therefore lead to new therapies aimed at prevention or treatment of osteomyelitis as well as amelioration of disease morbidity. In this minireview, we highlight recent developments in our understanding of how pathogens invade and survive within bone, how bacterial infection or resulting innate immune responses trigger changes in bone remodeling, and how model systems can be leveraged to identify new therapeutic targets. We review the current state of osteomyelitis epidemiology, diagnostics, and therapeutic guidelines to help direct future research in bacterial pathogenesis.

Subacute reconstruction using flap transfer for complex defects of the upper extremity

BACKGROUND

Despite advances in microsurgical techniques of flap transfer, complex upper extremity trauma reconstruction remains a challenge for surgeons. This study aimed to present the outcomes in using flaps in the subacute reconstruction of complex upper extremity injuries.

METHODS

From July 2013 to December 2016, 35 patients ranging in age from 23 to 69 years with complicated upper extremity traumatic injuries were treated using flap reconstruction in subacute period. The number and causes of injury were 12 machine crush injuries, 18 machine strangulation injuries, two chainsaw accidents, two traffic accidents, and one incident of heavy bruising. Thirty-five patients underwent flap procedures, including 24 anterolateral thigh flaps (68.57%), five latissimus dorsi flaps (14.29%), and six lateral arm flaps (17.14%). Flap sizes ranged from 3 × 4 to 42 × 16 cm². The mean time of flap reconstruction was 14 days (range 5-29). During postoperative follow-up, flap appearance, sensory recovery, scarring and satisfaction were assessed.

RESULTS

The overall flap survival rate was 94.3%.Two flaps developed partial necrosis, both of which were later treated with skin grafting. Traumatic wound infections occurred in three patients. All upper limb injuries were completely covered. The follow-up periods ranged from 18 to 62 months with an average of 2.9 months. All skin flap textures were soft with varying degrees of pigmentation. Flap sensory recovery was S₁ in three cases, S₂ in eight cases, S₃ in 15 cases, and S₄ in nine cases. There were no donor site complications other than three cases with scar hyperplasia.

CONCLUSIONS

The severe upper limb soft tissue defects still achieved satisfactory function and appearance with negligible complications and low amputation rates during the subacute period.

Antibiotic utilization in open fractures

Open fractures are complex presentations with elevated risks of infection and nonunion due to a multitude of factors. Along with early surgical debridement, antibiotics have been heavily utilized and have become part of standard of care to reduce the risks of fracture-related infections. Many aspects of their use have been studied and debated. The early administration of intravenous antibiotics has been shown to significantly reduce the incidence of infection. Furthermore, current standards do not recommend prolonged antibiotic administration post wound closure. Recently, an increasing number of studies have assessed the utility of locally administered antibiotics. Clinical and basic science studies have been relatively supportive of their usage, but further studies are still warranted to further delineate their effects.

Open fracture management: Critical issues

Open fractures are commonly encountered injuries worldwide and are often complicated by infection. Many present significant treatment challenges, where surgeons’ early decision-making can affect long-term outcomes. While evidence-based recommendations exist to guide some of these decisions, several treatment areas continue to be controversial. This supplement seeks to outline critical treatment elements for open fractures, including antibiotic administration, surgical timing, bone defect management, and soft-tissue coverage as well as management of fracture-related infections. The expectation is that a better understanding of these issues will help improve the future care of these potentially disabling injuries.

Management of Orthopaedic Injuries in Multiply Injured Child

Multiply injured child is a unique challenge to the medical communities worldwide. It is a leading cause of preventable mortality and morbidity in children. Common skeletal injuries include closed or open fractures of tibia and femur and pelvic injuries. Initial management focuses on saving life and then saving limb as per pediatric advanced life support and advanced trauma life support. Orthopedic management of open fracture includes splinting the limb, administration of prophylactic antibiotic, and surgical debridement of the wound when safe. However, gross contamination, compartment syndrome, and vascular injuries demand urgent attention.

Use of a Defined Surgical Approach for the Debridement of Open Tibia Fractures

OBJECTIVES

To determine whether a defined approach for debridement of open tibia fractures would result in no change in reoperation rate, but reduce the need for flap coverage.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

SETTING

Academic Level 1 trauma center.

PATIENTS

A total of 66 patients with 68 open diaphyseal tibia fractures were included. Patients under the age of 18 and with orthopaedic trauma association open fracture classification (OTA-OFC) skin score of 3 were excluded.

INTERVENTION

Debridement of the open fracture through direct extension of the traumatic wound or through a defined surgical interval.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

Number of operations. Need for soft-tissue transfer.

RESULTS

A total of 47 patients had direct extension of the traumatic wound and 21 patients had a defined surgical approach. The groups had similar proportions of Gustilo-Anderson and OTA-OFC subtypes. The average number of surgeries, including index procedure, per patient was 1.96 in the direct extension group and 1.29 in the defined approach group (P = 0.026). Flap coverage was needed in 9 patients in the direct extension group and no patients in the defined approach group (P = 0.048).

CONCLUSIONS

A defined surgical approach to the debridement of open tibia fractures is safe and may reduce the need for flap coverage in select patients.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

A Distally Based Sartorius Muscle Flap for a Gustilo Grade-III Open Fracture of the Lateral Femoral Condyle and the Head of the Fibula with a Complex Soft-Tissue Defect: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

CASE

We present a case of lower-limb trauma associated with an extensive soft-tissue defect around the knee joint, which led to the exposure of bone and the metalwork that was used for the management of the associated fractures. Coverage was performed with a distally based sartorius muscle flap in a single-stage procedure, allowing good recovery with a nice aesthetic and functional outcome at the 1-year follow-up. Additionally, we discuss alternative options for the coverage of severe soft-tissue defects based on the clinical context.

CONCLUSION

A distally based sartorius muscle flap may be a suitable alternative for coverage of complex soft-tissue defects around the knee joint.

Comparison of Irrigation Times Using Gravity and High-Pressure Lavage

The benefits of high-pressure pulsatile lavage for open fracture irrigation have been controversial based on conflicting experimental animal research. Recently published data definitively demonstrated that irrigation pressure does not affect the incidence of reoperation for the treatment of open fractures. However, proponents of pulsatile lavage argue a faster irrigation time is an important benefit of the high-pressure treatment. The purpose of this study was to determine the difference in irrigation time between gravity and high-pressure lavage. The experimental setup was designed to mimic clinical practice and compared mean irrigation flow times for high-pressure pulsatile lavage and gravity flow with 2 commonly used tube diameters. Each irrigation setup was tested 5 times at 3 different irrigation bag heights. Analysis of variance and Student's t tests were used to compare the mean flow times of 3 irrigation methods at each height and among the 3 heights for each irrigation method. The mean irrigation flow time in the various experimental models ranged from 161 to 243 seconds. Gravity irrigation with wide tubing was significantly faster than pulsatile lavage or gravity with narrow tubing (P<.001). Increasing irrigation bag height had only a marginal effect on the overall flow times (<9% difference). The difference in mean flow time among the testing techniques was slightly longer than 1 minute, which is unlikely to have a material impact on procedural costs, operating times, and subsequent gains in patient safety. [Orthopedics. 2017; 40(3):e413-e416.].

Timing of Operative Debridement in Open Fractures

The optimal treatment of open fractures continues to be an area of debate in the orthopedic literature. Recent research has challenged the dictum that open fractures should be debrided within 6 hours of injury. However, the expedient administration of intravenous antibiotics remains of paramount importance in infection prevention. Multiple factors, including fracture severity, thoroughness of debridement, time to initial treatment, and antibiotic administration, among other variables, contribute to the incidence of infection and complicate identifying an optimal time to debridement.

A Trial of Wound Irrigation in the Initial Management of Open Fracture Wounds

BACKGROUND

The management of open fractures requires wound irrigation and débridement to remove contaminants, but the effectiveness of various pressures and solutions for irrigation remains controversial. We investigated the effects of castile soap versus normal saline irrigation delivered by means of high, low, or very low irrigation pressure.

METHODS

In this study with a 2-by-3 factorial design, conducted at 41 clinical centers, we randomly assigned patients who had an open fracture of an extremity to undergo irrigation with one of three irrigation pressures (high pressure [>20 psi], low pressure [5 to 10 psi], or very low pressure [1 to 2 psi]) and one of two irrigation solutions (castile soap or normal saline). The primary end point was reoperation within 12 months after the index surgery for promotion of wound or bone healing or treatment of a wound infection.

RESULTS

A total of 2551 patients underwent randomization, of whom 2447 were deemed eligible and included in the final analyses. Reoperation occurred in 109 of 826 patients (13.2%) in the high-pressure group, 103 of 809 (12.7%) in the low-pressure group, and 111 of 812 (13.7%) in the very-low-pressure group. Hazard ratios for the three pairwise comparisons were as follows: for low versus high pressure, 0.92 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.70 to 1.20; P=0.53), for high versus very low pressure, 1.02 (95% CI, 0.78 to 1.33; P=0.89), and for low versus very low pressure, 0.93 (95% CI, 0.71 to 1.23; P=0.62). Reoperation occurred in 182 of 1229 patients (14.8%) in the soap group and in 141 of 1218 (11.6%) in the saline group (hazard ratio, 1.32, 95% CI, 1.06 to 1.66; P=0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The rates of reoperation were similar regardless of irrigation pressure, a finding that indicates that very low pressure is an acceptable, low-cost alternative for the irrigation of open fractures. The reoperation rate was higher in the soap group than in the saline group. (Funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and others; FLOW ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00788398.).