May 31, 2017
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Percutaneous, open reduction for tibial shaft fractures yielded no increase in complications

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Patients with closed tibia shaft fractures who underwent percutaneous or open reduction did not experience increased wound complications, infection or nonunion compared with patients who underwent closed reduction, according to results.

Hassan R. Mir, MD, and colleagues grouped 315 patients with 317 tibial shaft fractures by whether they underwent closed reduction, percutaneous reduction or open reduction. Main outcome measures included the development of superficial wound complications, deep infection or nonunion.

Hassan R. Mir

Overall, 198 patients underwent closed reduction; 61 patients underwent percutaneous reduction; and 56 patients underwent open reduction. Results showed no statistical differences in superficial wound complications between the groups, with a rate of 1% in the closed group; 1.6% in the percutaneous group; and 3.6% in the open group. Researchers also found a deep infection rate of 2% in the closed group, 1.6% in the percutaneous group and 7.1% in the open group. There were no significant differences between the groups for this finding, investigators wrote. The nonunion rate was also not statistically different between the groups, with rates of 5% in the closed group; 4.9% in the percutaneous group; and 7.1% in the open group. – by Casey Tingle

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.