Injury
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Open lower limb fractures are resource intensive injuries. Regardless of the financing model, the cost of treatment is an important consideration for any healthcare provider. ⋯ Open lower limb fractures are expensive to treat at a cost of approximately £19,200 per patient and associated with a significant loss of income in our MTC. Cost codes should reflect the complex and more expensive treatment of these patients to avoid the inadvertent financial 'penalties' of treating such patients. This study is the first to calculate the direct inpatient treatment costs of open lower limb fractures in a major trauma centre. It highlights the need for cost saving strategies and for appropriate remuneration in MTCs.
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This study aimed to evaluate the outcome of using a metaphyseal locking plate as a definitive external fixator for treating open tibial fractures based on biomechanical experiments and analysis of clinical results. ⋯ Clinical outcomes show that the use of locking plate as a definitive external fixator is an alternative choice for tibial fractures after obtaining appropriate fracture reduction. However, external locked plating constructs were not as strong as standard locked plating constructs. Therefore, the use of external locked plating constructs as a definitive treatment warrants further biomechanical study for construct strength improvement.
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The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of compartment syndrome and timing of fasciotomy wound closure on surgical site infection (SSI) after surgical fixation of tibial plateau fractures. Our primary hypothesis was that SSI rate is increased for fractures with compartment syndrome versus those without, even accounting for confounders associated with infection. Our secondary hypothesis was that infection rates are unrelated to timing of fasciotomy closure or fixation. ⋯ Tibial plateau fractures with ipsilateral compartment syndrome have a significant increase in rates of SSI compared with those without compartment syndrome (p<0.001). Delays in fasciotomy wound closure were also associated with increased odds of SSI (p<0.05).
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The purpose of this study was to evaluate the radiographic and clinical results of tension suture fixation using two washers with PHILOS plate (Synthes, West Chester, PA, USA) for proximal humeral fractures. ⋯ Tension suture fixation using two washers with PHILOS plate for proximal humeral fractures yielded satisfactory radiographic and clinical results. It can be a treatment option that can reduce varus deformity and fixation loss.
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Traditional methods of nailing distal tibial fractures have an unacceptable risk of mal-alignment due to difficulty in obtaining and maintaining reduction intra-operatively. Methods to obtain and maintain reduction when nailing these fractures, and therefore reducing the risk of Mal-alignment include modified external fixators, distractors and commercial reduction tools. Semi-extended intramedullary nailing of distal tibial fractures via a supra-patellar approach is now being used more commonly. The aim of this study was to assess whether a commercial reduction device (Staffordshire Orthopaedic Reduction Machine - STORM, Intelligent Orthopaedics, Stafffordshire, UK) is necessary to reduce the risk of mal-alignment in patients undergoing semi-extended nailing for distal tibial fractures. ⋯ Intraoperative use of STORM significantly increases operative time with no difference in outcome. The superior orthogonal views and manual control obtained during semi-extended nailing via a supra-patellar approach obviate the need for additional methods: of intraoperative reduction for this fracture group.