Highlights
- •High energy tibial plateau fractures remain a difficult problem to treat despite advances in soft tissue management and fixation strategies.
- •Overlap between external fixator pin site and internal fixation in tibial plateau fractures is associated with increased rate of infections.
- •Surgeons treating high energy tibial plateau fractures should carefully consider definitive fixation construct when placing external fixation.
Abstract
Introduction
Despite advances in the treatment of high energy proximal tibia fractures, including
the utilization of staged management with external fixation, the infection rate remains
high. Overlap between external fixator pin sites and definitive internal fixation
has been proposed as a risk factor for infection.
Methods
This retrospective study reviews 244 patients with staged knee-spanning external fixation
followed by delayed definitive internal fixation at two separate level one trauma
centers. Presence of pin-plate overlap as well as several other known risk factors
for infection were recorded and measured to include open fractures, compartment syndrome,
operative time and number of incisions. Development of deep infection was the primary
outcome. Both univariate and multivariate statistics were applied to determine differences
in rates of infection.
Results
65 (26.6%) patients had presence of pin-plate overlap while 179 (73.4%) patients had
no overlap. There were no differences between overlapping and non-overlapping groups
with respect to other infectious risk factors. Deep infection occurred in 34 (13.9%)
total patients, 18 (27.7%) were in patients with pin-plate overlap and 16 (8.9%) in
those without overlap. (P = 0.003; RR 3.01, 95% CI 1.51–4.76).
Discussion
This large, multicenter study demonstrated a statistically significant association
between pin-plate overlap and the development of deep infection in tibial plateau
fractures. On multivariate analysis, pin-plate overlap was identified as an independent
risk factor for infection. When treating these complex injuries, surgeons should consider
the definitive fixation construct when placing external fixation pins.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: January 11, 2022
Accepted:
January 7,
2022
Identification
Copyright
© 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
