A prospective study evaluating incision placement and wound healing for tibial plafond fractures

Abstract

Objectives: To report the soft tissue complications after fixation of tibial plafond fractures to test the validity of the recommendation that a 7-cm skin bridge represents the minimum safe distance between surgical incisions.

Design: Prospective observational cohort.

Setting: Level 1 Trauma Center.

Patients: A total 42 patients with 46 tibial plafond fractures.

Intervention: All injuries had a minimum of 2 surgical approaches for operative management of the tibial plafond and associated fibula fracture (if applicable). Two low-energy injuries had single-stage open reduction internal fixation of the tibia and fibula, and the remaining high- energy fractures had a 2-staged approach to management.

Main outcome measurements: The surgical approaches used, length of the incisions, distance between the incisions, and overlap between the incisions were recorded. Wound healing was assessed in the outpatient clinic over a 3-month period.

Results: Two surgical approaches were used in 32 fractures, and 3 approaches were used in 14 fractures. The mean width of the skin bridge was 5.9 cm. The majority of the skin bridges were 5.0 to 5.9 cm (n = 25) or 6.0 to 6.9 cm (n = 16). Only 17% of the skin bridges were greater than 7.0 cm. Soft tissue complications occurred in 4 (9%) of 46 fractures. Healing of 2 anterolateral incisions was complicated by eschars that ultimately resolved with local wound care. One posterolateral fibular incision failed to heal until the fibular plate was removed. One patient required subsequent surgical procedures for infection.

Conclusions: Despite a measured skin bridge of less than 7 cm in 83% of instances, the soft tissue complication rate was low in this group of tibial plafond fractures. With careful attention to soft tissue management and surgical timing, incisions for tibial plafond fractures may be placed less than 7 cm apart, allowing the surgeon to optimize exposures on the basis of injury pattern.