1. Long-term outcomes after high-energy open tibial fractures: Is a salvaged limb superior to prosthesis in terms of physical function and quality of life?
- Author
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C Frisvoll, John Clarke-Jenssen, Jan Erik Madsen, Tone Bere, Gunnar B Flugsrud, Frede Frihagen, and Geir Stray Andreassen
- Subjects
Adult ,Male ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Adolescent ,Radiography ,medicine.medical_treatment ,Physical function ,Prosthesis ,Amputation, Surgical ,Fractures, Open ,Young Adult ,03 medical and health sciences ,Return to Work ,0302 clinical medicine ,Quality of life ,Humans ,Medicine ,Orthopedics and Sports Medicine ,030212 general & internal medicine ,Aged ,Retrospective Studies ,Aged, 80 and over ,030222 orthopedics ,business.industry ,Soft tissue ,Bone fracture ,Middle Aged ,Limb Salvage ,medicine.disease ,Surgery ,Tibial Fractures ,Amputation ,Patient Satisfaction ,Quality of Life ,Female ,business ,Complication ,Follow-Up Studies - Abstract
The aim of this study was to describe complication rates and long-term functional outcomes among patients with amputated versus reconstructed limb after high-energy open tibial fractures. Patients treated operatively for a high-energy open tibial fracture, classified as Gustilo–Anderson (GA) grade 3, at our hospital in the time period 2004–2013 were invited to a clinical and radiographic follow-up at minimum 2 years after injury. Eighty-two patients with 87 GA grade 3 fractures were included. There were 39 type GA 3A, 34 GA 3B, and 14 GA 3C. The GA 3A reconstruction group had the lowest complication rate and the best long-term outcome scores at mean 5 years (range 2–8 years) after injury. Within the group of GA 3B and 3C fractures, we found no significant differences in long-term outcomes among patients with reconstructed versus amputated limbs. The mean physical component summary score of the SF-36 in the reconstruction versus amputation group was 54.2 (95% CI 46.3–62.1) versus 47.7 (95% CI 32.6–62.2), respectively (p = 0.524), while the mean mental component summary score was 63.7 (95% CI 50.6–71.8) versus 59.2 (95% CI 48.8–68.0), respectively (p = 0.603). On the 6-minute walk test, the reconstruction group walked on average 493 m (95% CI 447–535 m) versus 449 m (95% CI 384–518 m) in the amputation group. The return to work rate was 73% (16 of 22) in the reconstruction group versus 50% (7 of 14) in the amputation group (p = 0.166). The mean patient satisfaction score (VAS 0–100) was 67 (95% CI 67–77) in the reconstruction group versus 65 (95% CI 51–76) in the amputation group (p = 0.795). Regardless of the treatment strategy, the complication rate was high. Amputation should be considered as a viable treatment option, equal to limb salvage, after high-energy open tibial fracture with severe vascular damage or soft tissue loss.
- Published
- 2019