scholarly journals Open Reduction Internal Fixation versus External Fixation with Limited Internal Fixation for Displaced Comminuted Closed Pilon Fractures: A Randomised Prospective Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 84-89
Author(s):  
Rayan Ahmed ◽  
Kotb Ahmed ◽  
M. Elmoatasem Elhussein ◽  
Samir Shady ◽  
Tamer A. El-Sobky ◽  
...  

Background Pilon fractures involve the dome of the distal tibial articular surface. The optimal treatment for high-energy pilon fractures remains controversial. Some authors advocate the use of open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) to avoid articular incongruence. Others advocate the use of bridging external fixation with limited internal fixation (EFLIF) to reduce soft tissue complications. Literature reports of prospective studies comparing the radioclinical outcomes of ORIF and EFLIF in high-energy fractures are scarce. Retrospective studies have their limitations because of insufficient randomisation. The objective of this randomised prospective study is to compare the clinical, radiologic and functional outcomes of displaced and comminuted closed pilon fractures, Rüedi and Allgöwer type II and III, treated by either ORIF or EFLIF. Materials and Methods Forty-two patients were selected for the study. Twenty-two patients were subjected to ORIF and 20 patients were subjected to EFLIF. We used the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society score as a standard method of reporting clinical status of the ankle. Patients were followed-up clinically and radiologically for over 2 years after the surgical treatment. Results The results of ORIF and EFLIF in treatment of high-energy pilon fractures are equally effective in terms of functional outcomes and complication rates on the short term. Conclusion Soft tissue integrity and fracture comminution seem to have a significant influence on outcomes of intervention. A prospective multicentre study with a larger sample size that controls for other associated variables and comorbidities is warranted. Level of evidence Level II.

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 2473011417S0002
Author(s):  
Rishin Kadakia ◽  
Catphuong Vu ◽  
Jason Bariteau ◽  
Rahul Rege ◽  
Mara Schenker

Category: Hindfoot, Trauma Introduction/Purpose: Calcaneus fractures are common injuries of the foot and account for approximately sixty percent of all tarsal bone fractures. Anatomic reduction of the articular surface is associated with good long-term outcomes. Unfortunately, there is a high rate of complications following surgical fixation due to the fragile soft tissue envelope surrounding these injuries. External fixation of joint depression calcaneus fractures allows for restoration of morphology and preservation of soft tissues. The purpose of this work is to determine if acute external fixation in the management of joint depression calcaneus fractures leads to decreased postoperative complications and better outcomes. Methods: Patients were identified using the appropriate procedure codes over a ten year span at a level one trauma center. Those under the age of eighteen and underwent nonoperative treatment were excluded. Electronic medical records were reviewed to obtain, basic demographic data, comorbidities, and injury specifics. Calcaneus fractures were classified as open or closed and using the Essex-Lopresti classification system. Operative reports were reviewed to determine which patients initially underwent external fixation versus open reduction internal fixation (ORIF), furthermore any staged operative interventions were also noted. Electronic records were also reviewed to determine the length of follow up and incidence of postoperative complications. Bivariate analysis was used to identify an association between collected variables and postoperative complications (wound dehiscence, hardware failure, infection, nonunion). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine if patients treated with acute external fixation were associated with lower postoperative complication rates. Results: 152 calcaneus fractures were identified and included for analysis. The average age was thirty-eight and the majority of patients were male (111/152 = 73%). Average follow up was approximately five months. Seventeen percent (26/152) were open fractures. Twenty-six (17%) were treated initially with external fixation and eleven of these were a staged ORIF. The overall complication rate was 11% (17/152) with the most common complication being wound dehiscence. Only one complication occurred in the group initially managed with external fixation. Statistical analysis revealed that open fractures were associated with increased postoperative complication rates in a bivariate and multivariate model. Conclusion: External fixation of joint depression calcaneus fractures restores height and preserves the soft tissue envelope. Although there was only one complication in the external fixation group, the difference in complication rates was not statistically significant based on initial treatment. The low number of patients treated with external fixation initially and the short follow up are limitations of this study. Further work is needed with a larger patient cohort in a prospective setting. Acute external fixation may prove to be a useful tool to help prevent postoperative complications following joint depression calcaneus fractures.


Author(s):  
Lili E. Schindelar ◽  
Richard M. McEntee ◽  
Robert E. Gallivan ◽  
Brian Katt ◽  
Pedro K. Beredjiklian

Abstract Background Distal radius fractures are one of the most common fractures seen in the elderly. The management of distal radius fractures in the elderly, especially patients older than 80 years, has not been well defined. The purpose of this study was to evaluate operative treatment of distal radius fractures in patients older than 80 years to determine functional outcomes and complication rates. Materials and Methods A retrospective review was performed to identify patients 80 years or older who were treated for a distal radius fracture with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). Medical records were reviewed for demographics, medical history, functional outcomes including quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (qDASH), radiographs, and postoperative complications. Results There were 40 patients included for review. Average age was 84 years. The preoperative qDASH score was 69. At 6 months follow-up, the postoperative qDASH score was 13 (p < 0.001). There were five (12.5%) complications reported postoperatively. All fractures healed with adequate radiographic alignment and there were no hardware failures. Conclusion Distal radius fractures in patients older than 80 years treated with ORIF have good functional outcomes and low complication rates. Increased functionality and independence of the elderly, as well as updated implant design can lead to the effective surgical management of these patients. When indicated from a clinical perspective, operative fixation of distal radius fractures should be considered in patients older than 80 years.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 2473011417S0002
Author(s):  
Andrew Matson ◽  
Stephen Barchick ◽  
Samuel Adams

Category: Ankle, Trauma Introduction/Purpose: Open approaches are often used for the operative treatment of medial malleolar (MM) fractures. Compared to percutaneous approaches, open approaches may entail an increased risk of operative morbidity, postoperative pain, wound complications, and reoperation for hardware removal. However, inherent to minimally invasive or percutaneous techniques is incomplete fracture visualizationwhich may hinder acceptable reduction. In this study, we aimed to compare patients treated with closed reduction and percutaneous fixation (CRPF) to those patients treated with traditional open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). We hypothesized that the two groups would be similar with regard to patient factors, injury variables, and outcomes. Methods: The study group consisted of 184 consecutive patients who met inclusion criteria and were treated with operative fixation of a MM fracture from 2011-2015 at a single institution. Forty underwent CRPF and 144 underwent ORIF. Patient demographics, injury characteristics, treatment methods, and outcome variables were recorded through review of patient charts, radiographs, and operative reports. Results: Patient variables were similar between groups except for years of age, which was greater on average in the CRPF group (55 vs. 48, p = 0.03). The CRPF treatment group had a higher rate of initial open injury (22% vs. 7%, p<0.01), a lower rate of MM fracture comminution (12% vs. 29%, p = 0.03), and a higher rate of provisional external fixation (35% vs. 14%, p<0.01). There was no statistically significant difference observed between the CRPF and ORIF groups with regard to outcomes including: nonunion (2% vs. 3%), malunion (10% vs. 5%), time to union (10 weeks, each), removal of hardware (8% vs. 14%), or wound complications (0% vs. 4%). Conclusion: Both CRPF and ORIF resulted in acceptable radiographic outcomes and low complication rates for the treatment of MM fractures. Compared to the ORIF group, patients in the CRPF group on average were older and more often had comminution, open fractures, and provisional external fixation.


2011 ◽  
Vol 32 (10) ◽  
pp. 955-961 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roy I. Davidovitch ◽  
Rami Elkataran ◽  
Santiago Romo ◽  
Michael Walsh ◽  
Kenneth A. Egol

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