Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

AIMS: To assess current national practice in the management of severe open tibial fractures against national standards, using data collected by the Trauma and Audit Research Network. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Demographic, injury-specific, and outcome data were obtained for all grade IIIB/C fractures admitted to Major Trauma Centres in England from October 2014 to January 2016. RESULTS: Data was available for 646 patients with recorded grade IIIB/C fractures. The male to female ratio was 2.3:1, mean age 47 years. 77% received antibiotics within 3 h of admission, 82% were debrided within 24 h. Soft tissue coverage was achieved within 72 h of admission in 71%. The amputation rate was 8.7%. 4.3% of patients required further theatre visits for infection during the index admission. The timing of antibiotics and surgery could not be correlated with returns to theatre for early infection. There were significant differences in the management and outcomes of patients aged 65 and over, with an increase in mortality and amputation rates. CONCLUSIONS: Good outcomes are reported from the management of IIIB/C fractures in Major Trauma Centres in England. Overall compliance with national standards is particularly poor in the elderly. Compliance did not appear to affect rates of returning to theatre or early infection. Appropriately applied patient reported outcome measures are needed to enhance the evidence-base for management of these injuries.

Original publication

DOI

10.1016/j.injury.2018.10.028

Type

Journal article

Journal

Injury

Publication Date

02/2019

Volume

50

Pages

497 - 502

Keywords

BOAST 4, Lower limb trauma, Open fractures, Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Amputation, Anti-Bacterial Agents, Child, Child, Preschool, Clinical Audit, Debridement, England, Female, Fracture Fixation, Internal, Fractures, Open, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Practice Patterns, Physicians', Prospective Studies, Soft Tissue Injuries, Surgical Wound Infection, Tibial Fractures, Trauma Centers, Trauma Severity Indices, Wound Closure Techniques, Young Adult