Major Extremity Trauma Research Consortium (METRC). Modern External Ring Fixation Versus Internal Fixation for Treatment of Severe Open Tibial Fractures: A Randomized Clinical Trial (FIXIT Study)

Open tibial shaft fracture fixation strategies: intramedullary nailing, external fixation, and plating

Tibial shaft fractures are one of the most common orthopaedic injuries. Open tibial shaft fractures are relatively common because of the paucity of soft tissue surrounding the bone. Despite the prevalence of these injuries, the optimal fixation strategy is still a topic of debate. The purpose of this article was to review the current literature on open tibial shaft fracture fixation strategies including intramedullary nailing, external fixation, and plating.

The Bioburden Associated with Severe Open Tibial Fracture Wounds at the Time of Definitive Closure or Coverage: The BIOBURDEN Study

BACKGROUND

Infection is common following high-energy open tibial fractures. Understanding the wound bioburden may be critical to infection risk reduction strategies. This study was designed to identify the bioburden profile of high-energy open tibial fractures at the time of definitive wound closure or coverage and determine the relationship to subsequent deep infection.

METHODS

This multicenter prospective study enrolled 646 patients with high-energy open tibial fractures requiring a second debridement surgery and delayed wound closure or coverage. Wound samples were obtained at the time of definitive closure or coverage and were cultured in a central laboratory. Cultures were also subsequently obtained from patients who underwent a fracture-site reoperation.

RESULTS

Two hundred and six (32%) of the wounds had a positive culture at the time of closure or coverage. A single genus was identified in 154 (75%) of these positive cultures and multiple genera, in 52 (25%). Gram-positive cocci (GPCs) were identified in 98 (47%) of the positive cultures. Staphylococci were identified in 64 (31%) of the cultures, and 53 (83%) of these were coagulase-negative (CONS). Enterococci were identified in 26 (13%) of the cultures. Gram-negative rods (GNRs) were identified in 100 (49%) of the cultures; the most frequent GNR genera identified were Enterobacter (39, 19%) and Pseudomonas (21, 10%). Positive cultures were subsequently obtained from 154 (50%) of 310 revision surgeries. A single genus was identified in 85 (55%) of the 154 and multiple genera, in 69. GPCs were identified in 134 (87%) of the 154 positive cultures, staphylococci were identified in 94 (61%), and GNRs were identified in 100 (65%).

CONCLUSIONS

The bioburden in high-energy open tibial fractures at delayed closure or coverage was often characterized by pathogens of multiple genera and of genera that are nonresponsive to typically employed antibiotic prophylaxis. Awareness of the final wound bioburden might inform strategies to lower the infection rate.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Prognostic Level II . See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Open fractures: evidence-based best practices

Open fracture management is a common challenge to orthopaedic trauma surgeons and a burdensome condition to the patient, health care, and entire society. Fracture-related infection (FRI) is the leading morbid complication to avoid during open fracture management because it leads to sepsis, nonunion, limb loss, and overall very poor region-specific and general functional outcomes. This review, based on a symposium presented at the 2022 OTA International Trauma Care Forum, provides a practical and evidence-based summary on key strategies to prevent FRI in open fractures, which can be grouped as optimizing host factors, antimicrobial prophylaxis, surgical site management (skin preparation, debridement, and wound irrigation), provision of skeletal stability, and soft-tissue coverage. When it is applicable, strategies are differentiated between optimal resource and resource-limited settings.

Circular frame versus reamed intramedullary tibial nail in the treatment of grade III open tibial diaphyseal fractures

BACKGROUND

Grade III open tibial diaphyseal fractures are challenging to treat and controversy exists on whether to treat them with an intramedullary nail (IMN) or a circular frame (CF). This study aims to compare outcomes for intramedullary nail and circular frame in the treatment of open tibial diaphyseal fractures.

METHODOLOGY

Retrospective study at a major trauma center of all patients admitted with a grade III open tibial diaphyseal fracture between January 2016 and January 2022. The primary outcome measures were major complications: non-union, malunion, refracture, DBI and amputation. Secondary outcome measures were time to union and reoperation rates.

RESULTS

Fifty-five patients were included in the study, 32 patients in CF group and 23 patients in IMN group. There were no significant differences in the baseline demographics of patients in both groups. Major complications were recorded in 13 limbs (54%) in IMN group and in 18 limbs (56%) in CF group which were not statistically significant (p = 0.797). Deep bone infection rates were noted in 4 (12.5%) in the CF group, compared to 1 (4%) in IMN group; however, the result was not statistically significant (p = 0.240). Amputation rates as a result of infected non-unions were seen in 1 limb (4%) in IMN group and 2 limbs (6%) in CF group (p = 0.99). Median time to union was significantly shorter in IMN group at 30 weeks compared to 30 weeks for CF group (p = 0.04).

CONCLUSION

IMN should be the treatment of choice in the treatment of grade III open tibial diaphyseal fracture, but CF should be considered for delayed treatment and in patients with bone loss.

Is fracture management merely a physical process? Exploring the psychological effects of internal and external fixation

BACKGROUND

Internal and external fixation are common surgical procedures for treating fractures. However, the impact of different surgical approaches (including internal and external fixations) on patients' psychological status and Quality of Life (QoL) is rarely examined. Herein, we aimed to investigate the effects of internal and external fixation on anxiety, depression, insomnia, and overall mental and physical health in Distal Radius Fractures (DRF) patients.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective study on 96 fracture patients who underwent internal fixation (57 patients) or external fixation (39 patients). The Visual Analog Scale (VAS), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), and the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 (SF-36) questionnaire were used to assess the patients' pain, anxiety, depression, sleep, and QoL before surgery and at seven days, one month, and three months post-surgery.

RESULTS

The VAS scores were significantly lower in the Internal Fixation Group (IFG) than in the External Fixation Group (EFG) on the seventh day and one month postoperatively (P < 0.05). Although both groups showed no significant anxiety, depression, or insomnia before surgery (P > 0.05), the EFG showed significantly higher HADS-A, HADS-D, and AIS scores than the IFG at seven days and one and three months postoperatively (P < 0.05). Additionally, changes in HADS-A, HADS-D, and AIS scores were most significant at day seven post-surgery in the EFG (P < 0.05). Furthermore, no significant difference was found between the two groups in the average Physical Component Summary (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS) scores before surgery (P > 0.05). However, both groups showed positive changes in PCS and MCS scores at postoperative day seven and one and three months postoperatively, with the IFG having significantly higher average PCS and MCS scores compared to the EFG (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Compared to external fixation, internal fixation did not significantly impact patients' emotions regarding anxiety and depression in the early postoperative period, and physical and mental health recovery was better during the postoperative rehabilitation period. Furthermore, when there are no absolute indications, the impact on patients' psychological well-being should be considered as one of the key factors in the treatment plan during surgical approach selection.

Outcomes following surgical fixation of Gustilo-Anderson IIIb open tibial fractures

There is no consensus as to the optimal skeletal fixation method for Gustilo-Anderson IIIb fractures. External fixation methods have previously shown higher rates of superficial infection, whilst internal fixation has shown higher risk of deep infection, but lower risk of other complications. This paper investigates outcomes in open tibial fractures based on fixation method. A retrospective review was performed for patients presenting to an ortho-plastic unit with GA IIIb tibial fractures between June 2013 and October 2021. 85 patients were identified. The most common implant was an intramedullary nail (IMN), used in 29 patients (34.1%); open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) was performed in 16 patients (18.8%). 18 patients (21.2%) were definitively managed with a frame alone. Mean follow-up from was 18 months (2-77). Patients with ORIF needed a mean of 3.37 operations; it was 2.48 for IMN which was significantly different from frames at 5.00 (p=0.000). The mean time to bony union after definitive fixation was 11.4 months. This differed depending on the implant used for fixation, with ORIF at 7.1 months, 10.1 for IMN, and frames at 17.2 months; ORIF significantly differed from frames (p=0.009). Superficial infection was common, seen in 38.8% of patients, and only 3 patients (4%) developed deep infections involving metalwork, with no difference in rates of either based on fixation method This study supports that ORIF has faster healing times, with less time to union compared to frames. It also shows that no implant was superior to another in terms of outcomes.

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.

Functional outcomes and quality of life at 1-year follow-up after an open tibia fracture in Malawi: a multicentre, prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Injuries are a major cause of disability globally and injury incidence is rapidly increasing, largely due to road traffic injuries in low-income and middle-income countries. Current estimates of the scale and consequences of disability from injury are largely based on modelling studies, with a scarcity of empirical evidence from severe injuries in low-income countries. We aimed to better understand the outcomes for individuals with open tibia fractures in Malawi.

METHODS

In this multicentre, prospective cohort study, adults (aged ≥18 years) with open tibia fractures were systematically recruited at six hospitals in Malawi (two tertiary hospitals and four district hospitals). Follow-up lasted at least 1 year, during which in-person follow-up reviews were done at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year post-injury. The primary outcome was function at 1 year post-injury, measured by the Short Musculoskeletal Functional Assessment (SMFA) score. Secondary outcomes included quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs; as determined via the European Quality of Life 5-Dimensions 3-Levels [EQ-5D-3L] survey) and fracture-related infection at 1 year post-injury. Multilevel regression models investigated associations between SMFA score, EQ-5D-3L, baseline factors, and orthopaedic management.

FINDINGS

Between Feb 12, 2021, and March 14, 2022, 287 participants were enrolled (median age 34 years [IQR 25-44]; 84% male). The most common mode of injury was road traffic injuries (194 [68%] of 287). Overall, 268 (93%) participants had debridement; of the 63 participants who were debrided in district hospitals, 47 (75%) had the procedure under local or no anaesthesia. Following substantial declines by 6 weeks after injury, function and quality of life had not recovered by 1 year post-injury for participants with Gustilo grade I-II fractures (posterior mean SMFA at 1 year: 10·5, 95% highest density interval [HDI]: 9·5-11·6; QALYs: 0·73, 95% HDI: 0·66-0·80) nor Gustilo grade III fractures (posterior mean SMFA at 1 year: 14·9, 95% HDI: 13·4-16·6; QALYs: 0·67, 95% HDI: 0·59-0·75). For all fracture grades, intramedullary nailing substantially improved function and quality of life at 1 year post-injury. Delayed definitive fixation after 5 days had 5-times greater odds of infection compared with early management within 2 days (adjusted odds ratio: 5·1, 95% CI 1·8-16·1; p=0·02).

INTERPRETATION

Adults with open tibia fractures in Malawi have poor function and quality of life in the 1 year following injury. Centralised orthopaedic surgical management, including early definitive fixation and intramedullary nailing for more severe injuries, might improve outcomes.

FUNDING

Wellcome Trust.

TRANSLATION

For the Chichewa translation of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.

The Major Extremity Trauma Research Consortium: Development and Impact of an Orthopaedic Trauma Research Program

The Major Extremity Trauma Research Consortium (METRC) is a unique and ongoing military-civilian collaboration that resulted in the largest orthopaedic trauma research enterprise to date. The Consortium was established in September 2009 with funding from the Department of Defense. It employs a centralized data coordinating center and has grown into a network of nearly 400 investigators at 70 clinical centers. METRC conducts large multicenter clinical research studies selected and designed to improve outcomes among severely injured military and civilian patients with extremity trauma. Over the past decade, the consortium has implemented 35 such studies distributed among 19 principal investigators, enrolled more than 23,000 patients, published 61 articles, and received more than $150 million in funding from the Department of Defense, Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute, and National Institutes of Health. This unique multidisciplinary research platform is a powerful community capable of addressing the challenging issues related to the evaluation, treatment, and recovery after severe extremity trauma. This body of work received the 2023 Elizabeth Winston Lanier Kappa Delta Award. An overview of the METRC development, organization, and research focus areas is presented.

Plate-assisted bone-segment transport in the femur with 2 internal lengthening nails: a technical note and a case report

A novel technique to resolve large bone defects, using 2 internal lengthening nails (ILNs), one antegrade and one retro-grade, aligned in a custom-made tube is presented. A 28-year-old, healthy, asymptomatic male presented with a slowly growing mass in the left femur.

Single institution retrospective study evaluating the frequency of implant removal and associated risk factors following open fracture fixation in 80 cases (2010-2020)

BACKGROUND

Open fractures occur commonly in small animals and are characterised by contamination of the fracture site. While never quantified, it is believed that open fractures stabilised with internal implants are at a higher risk for requiring explantation. This retrospective study determines the frequency and risk factors for explantation following use of internal fixation. Medical records of client-owned dogs and cats with an open fracture, between 2010 and 2020 stabilised using internal implants, were included. Data retrieved included signalment, cause and characterisation of the fracture, comorbidities, preexisting infections, and all details related to anesthesia and surgery. Pre-, Peri- and post-operative antibiotic use were detailed. All cases were followed to clinical union. Postoperative complications, including requirement for implant removal were recorded and classified as major or minor. Associations between potential risk factors and need for explantation were assessed.

RESULTS

Of 80 cases, 72 (90%) were dogs and eight (10%) cats. Major complications were encountered in 23 (28.75%) cases and minor complications in 16 (20%) cases. Explantation was performed in 17 cases (21.25%). Out of 72 dogs, 13 required explantation (18%) whereas four of the eight cats needed implants removed (50%). Only diagnosis of postoperative infection was associated with an increased risk of explantation (RR 2.77; 95% CI 1.25; 6.15; p = 0.045).

CONCLUSION

Approximately 1 in 5 open fractures stabilised using internal fixation can be anticipated to require explantation, with cats potentially being at a higher risk than dogs. Cases diagnosed with postoperative infection are at a higher risk for requiring implant removal.

Preventing biological waste: Effective use of viable tissue in traumatized lower extremities

Severe open lower extremity trauma requires debridement to remove contamination and devitalized tissues. Aggressive debridement should be balanced with preservation of viable tissue. These often damaged but preserved viable tissues are "spare parts" that augment the options available for reconstruction. The long-term goal of reconstruction should be functional limb restoration and optimization. Injury patterns, levels, and patient factors will determine whether this endeavor is better accomplished with limb salvage or amputation. This article reviews the rationale and strategies for preserving spare parts throughout debridement and then incorporating them as opportunistic grafts in the ultimate reconstruction to facilitate healing and maximize extremity function.

Level of Evidence

5.

PA, Phelps K, Bosse M, Karunakar M, Kempton L, Sims S, Hsu J, Seymour R, Churchill C, Mayfield A, Sweeney J, Jaeblon T, Beer R, Bauer B, Meredith S, Talwar S, Domes CM, Gage MJ, Reilly RM, Paniagua A, Dupree J, Weaver MJ, von Keudell AG, Sagona AE, Mehta S, Donegan D, Horan A, Dooley M, Heng M, Harris MB, Lhowe DW, Esposito JG, Alnasser A, Shannon SF, Scott AN, Clinch B, Weber B, Beltran MJ, Archdeacon MT, Sagi HC, Wyrick JD, Le TT, Laughlin RT, Thomson CG, Hasselfeld K, Lin CA, Vrahas MS, Moon CN, Little MT, Marecek GS, Dubuclet DM, Scolaro JA, Learned JR, Lim PK, Demas S, Amirhekmat A, Dela Cruz YM. Aqueous skin antisepsis before surgical fixation of open fractures (Aqueous-PREP): a multiple-period, cluster-randomised, crossover trial

BACKGROUND

Chlorhexidine skin antisepsis is frequently recommended for most surgical procedures; however, it is unclear if these recommendations should apply to surgery involving traumatic contaminated wounds where povidone-iodine has previously been preferred. We aimed to compare the effect of aqueous 10% povidone-iodine versus aqueous 4% chlorhexidine gluconate on the risk of surgical site infection in patients who required surgery for an open fracture.

METHODS

We conducted a multiple-period, cluster-randomised, crossover trial (Aqueous-PREP) at 14 hospitals in Canada, Spain, and the USA. Eligible patients were adults aged 18 years or older with an open extremity fracture treated with a surgical fixation implant. For inclusion, the open fracture required formal surgical debridement within 72 h of the injury. Participating sites were randomly assigned (1:1) to use either aqueous 10% povidone-iodine or aqueous 4% chlorhexidine gluconate immediately before surgical incision; sites then alternated between the study interventions every 2 months. Participants, health-care providers, and study personnel were aware of the treatment assignment due to the colour of the solutions. The outcome adjudicators and data analysts were masked to treatment allocation. The primary outcome was surgical site infection, guided by the 2017 US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Healthcare Safety Network reporting criteria, which included superficial incisional infection within 30 days or deep incisional or organ space infection within 90 days of surgery. The primary analyses followed the intention-to-treat principle and included all participants in the groups to which they were randomly assigned. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03385304.

FINDINGS

Between April 8, 2018, and June 8, 2021, 3619 patients were assessed for eligibility and 1683 were enrolled and randomly assigned to povidone-iodine (n=847) or chlorhexidine gluconate (n=836). The trial's adjudication committee determined that 45 participants were ineligible, leaving 1638 participants in the primary analysis, with 828 in the povidone-iodine group and 810 in the chlorhexidine gluconate group (mean age 44·9 years [SD 18·0]; 629 [38%] were female and 1009 [62%] were male). Among 1571 participants in whom the primary outcome was known, a surgical site infection occurred in 59 (7%) of 787 participants in the povidone-iodine group and 58 (7%) of 784 in the chlorhexidine gluconate group (odds ratio 1·11, 95% CI 0·74 to 1·65; p=0·61; risk difference 0·6%, 95% CI -1·4 to 3·4).

INTERPRETATION

For patients who require surgical fixation of an open fracture, either aqueous 10% povidone-iodine or aqueous 4% chlorhexidine gluconate can be selected for skin antisepsis on the basis of solution availability, patient contraindications, or product cost. These findings might also have implications for antisepsis of other traumatic wounds.

FUNDING

US Department of Defense, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, McMaster University Surgical Associates, PSI Foundation.