A delay in flap coverage of open midshaft tibia fractures increases complications: A retrospective study

Background: This retrospective study aimed to assess whether delaying flap coverage in open midshaft tibia fractures leads to higher infection rates. Methods: Patients were recruited retrospectively from a tertiary trauma database between 2012 and 2020. Patients included were over 18-years old and h...

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Main Authors: Ahmed Mahmoud, Jarrod Younger, Emily Morris, Matthew Hope
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publishing 2024-12-01
Series:Journal of Orthopaedics, Trauma and Rehabilitation
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1177/22104917231225970
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author Ahmed Mahmoud
Jarrod Younger
Emily Morris
Matthew Hope
author_facet Ahmed Mahmoud
Jarrod Younger
Emily Morris
Matthew Hope
author_sort Ahmed Mahmoud
collection DOAJ
description Background: This retrospective study aimed to assess whether delaying flap coverage in open midshaft tibia fractures leads to higher infection rates. Methods: Patients were recruited retrospectively from a tertiary trauma database between 2012 and 2020. Patients included were over 18-years old and had an open tibia fracture that required flap coverage with at least 6 months follow-up. The collected complications were deep infections, aseptic non-union, flap failure and revision surgery. Results: Group-A ( n = 18) and Group-B ( n = 37) were analysed. Deep infections rate was 6% in Group-A and 38% in Group-B which was significantly different, χ 2 (1, N = 55) = 6.4, p = 0.01. The rate of revision surgery was 17% in Group-A and 54% in Group-B and was significant, χ 2 (1, N = 55) = 7, p = 0.008. Binary logistic regression showed that Group-B were 10 times more likely to develop a deep infection (95% confidence interval 1.2–83, p = 0.034). Conclusion: Delaying soft tissue coverage of open tibia fractures for over a week increases the risk of deep infection and revision surgery.
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spelling doaj-art-d3c62ff0810c4235b774df50b5a5340a2024-12-02T10:04:38ZengSAGE PublishingJournal of Orthopaedics, Trauma and Rehabilitation2210-49252024-12-013110.1177/22104917231225970A delay in flap coverage of open midshaft tibia fractures increases complications: A retrospective studyAhmed Mahmoud0Jarrod Younger1Emily Morris2Matthew Hope3 , St Lucia, Australia , Gold Coast, Australia , Gold Coast, Australia , St Lucia, AustraliaBackground: This retrospective study aimed to assess whether delaying flap coverage in open midshaft tibia fractures leads to higher infection rates. Methods: Patients were recruited retrospectively from a tertiary trauma database between 2012 and 2020. Patients included were over 18-years old and had an open tibia fracture that required flap coverage with at least 6 months follow-up. The collected complications were deep infections, aseptic non-union, flap failure and revision surgery. Results: Group-A ( n = 18) and Group-B ( n = 37) were analysed. Deep infections rate was 6% in Group-A and 38% in Group-B which was significantly different, χ 2 (1, N = 55) = 6.4, p = 0.01. The rate of revision surgery was 17% in Group-A and 54% in Group-B and was significant, χ 2 (1, N = 55) = 7, p = 0.008. Binary logistic regression showed that Group-B were 10 times more likely to develop a deep infection (95% confidence interval 1.2–83, p = 0.034). Conclusion: Delaying soft tissue coverage of open tibia fractures for over a week increases the risk of deep infection and revision surgery.https://doi.org/10.1177/22104917231225970
spellingShingle Ahmed Mahmoud
Jarrod Younger
Emily Morris
Matthew Hope
A delay in flap coverage of open midshaft tibia fractures increases complications: A retrospective study
Journal of Orthopaedics, Trauma and Rehabilitation
title A delay in flap coverage of open midshaft tibia fractures increases complications: A retrospective study
title_full A delay in flap coverage of open midshaft tibia fractures increases complications: A retrospective study
title_fullStr A delay in flap coverage of open midshaft tibia fractures increases complications: A retrospective study
title_full_unstemmed A delay in flap coverage of open midshaft tibia fractures increases complications: A retrospective study
title_short A delay in flap coverage of open midshaft tibia fractures increases complications: A retrospective study
title_sort delay in flap coverage of open midshaft tibia fractures increases complications a retrospective study
url https://doi.org/10.1177/22104917231225970
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