Isolated open tibial shaft fracture: a seven-hospital, prospective observational study in two Latin America countries

ABSTRACT Introduction: open tibial fractures are challenging due to the frequent severe bone injury associated with poor soft tissue conditions. This is relevant in low- and middle-income countries, mainly related to delayed definitive fixation and lack of adequate training in soft tissue coverage procedures. Due to these factors, open tibial fracture is an important source of disability for Latin American countries. Herein we sought to provide an epidemiological overview of isolated open tibial shaft fracture across seven hospitals in southern cone of Latin America. The secondary goal was to assess the impact on quality of life based on return-to-work rate (RWR). Methods: patients with an isolated open tibial shaft fracture treated in seven different hospitals from Brazil and Argentina from November 2017 to March 2020 were included in the study. Clinical and radiographic results were evaluated throughout the 120-day follow-up period. Final evaluation compared RWR with the SF-12 questionnaire, bone healing, and gait status. Results: Seventy-two patients were treated, 57 followed for 120 days and 48 completed the SF-12 questionnaire. After 120 days, 70.6% had returned to work, 61.4% had experienced bone healing. Age, antibiotic therapy, type of definitive treatment, and infection significantly influenced the RWR. Gait status exhibited strong correlations with RWR and SF-12 physical component score. Conclusions: Isolated open tibial shaft fractures are potentially harmful to the patient’s quality of life after 120 days of the initial management. RWR is significantly higher for younger patients, no history of infection, and those who could run in the gait status assessment.

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	BELANGERO,WILLIAM DIAS, FOGAGNOLO,FABRICIO, KOJIMA,KODI EDSON, MIGUEL,GUILHERME CHOHFI DE, BIDOLEGUI,FERNANDO, BERTUNE,ALEJANDRO DANIEL, LOMBARDO,ERNESTO, DIAS,ADÉLIO DE LIMA, TORRES,JOÃO BATISTA MANZOLI, COUTINHO,BRUNO PARILHA, SILVA,JORGE DOS SANTOS, LEONHARDT,MARCOS DE CAMARGO, PEREIRA,PABLO SEBASTIÁN, MARIOLANI,JOSÉ RICARDO LENZI, GIORDANO,VINCENZO
Format:	Digital revista
Language:	English
Published:	Colégio Brasileiro de Cirurgiões 2022
Online Access:	http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0100-69912022000100249
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