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No increase in complications seen with provisional plating prior to IM nailing for open tibial fractures
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Investigators of this study found provisional plate stabilization prior to intramedullary nailing for patients with open tibial fractures did not increase infection or complication risks.
Researchers retrospectively compared 104 patients who were treated an intramedullary (IM) nailing for open tibial fractures. The average follow-up was around 10 months. Investigators analyzed patients for diabetes, smoking history, injury mechanism, side of injury, Gustilo-Anderson type and AO/Orthopedic Trauma Association fracture classification. The primary research question was whether the use of provisional plates prior to IM nailing increased complication risk. To determine whether provisional plating was used, investigators used operative reports and radiographs. Patients with provisional plating were categorized as either having their plate removed or retained.
Out of 108 extremities, 35 had provisional plating and 73 did not have this step. Researchers controlled of confounding variables and found no significant increase in the risks for infection or other complications when provisional plating was used. Among patients who were plated, investigators noted plate removal compared with plate retention did not pose a significant decrease in infection risk or risk from other complications. ‒ by Monica Jaramillo
Disclosures: Ludwig reports no relevant financial disclosures. Please see the full study for a list of all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.
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