Risk factors for wound complications after internal fixation of distal tibial fracture

Abstract

Objective To identify risk factors for wound complications related to internal fixation of distal tibial fracture.Methods A total of 125 patients undergone open reduction and internal fixation of the distal tibial fracture between January 2008 and December 2011 were enrolled.There were 72 men and 53 women with mean age of 41.46 years.Factors contributing to operative wound complications assessed were demographic characteristics (age,gender,and smoking history),types of fracture,operative time,time from injury to operation,and concomitant diseases (diabetes and peripheral vascular disease).Patients with wound complications were defined as those requiring dressing care and oral or intravenous antibiotics or those requiring further surgical treatment.Results At follow-up,wound complications were recorded including 1 patient (0.8％) had surgical debridement and 10 patients (8.0％) had dressing care and oral or intravenous antibiotic therapy.Logistic regression analysis identified risk factors for wound complications were open fracture (OR =23.077,95％ CI 2.672-199.342,P ＜0.01) and age (OR =1.078,95％ CI 1.011-1.150,P ＜ 0.05).Otherwise,following factors exhibited no significant correlation with wound complications:age,body mass index,smoking history,types of fracture,multiple injury or not,and operative time.Conclusion Patients with older age or open fracture present an increased risk of wound complications after operation and need special concern. Key words: Tibial fractures ; Fracture fixation, internal; Complications