Open fractures. Long-term results in 200 consecutive cases

Abstract

Two hundred consecutive patients admitted with 214 open fractures were reevaluated 6--10 years following injury. All patients were seen in follow-up by the authors. The average hospital stay was 36 days. Many of the patients sustained multiple injuries in automobile accidents. Concomitant head, chest or abdominal trauma occurred in 41% of the patients; 38% sustained multiple fractures. The average patient achieved full weight-bearing at 28 weeks. Late complications were infrequent. All postoperative bone infections (7%) were eradicated with appropriate treatment an average of 27 months postinjury; all of the infected fractures united, and no major limitations of motion resulted. Roentgenograms taken an average of 8 years postinjury revealed only 9 patients with major joint incongruities or arthritic changes. All of the fractures were united except for one with an asymptomatic fibrous union of the patella. Anatomic restitution was possible in most patients. Only one patient had an axial malalignment which necessitated correction by osteotomy and 6 patients had shortening of 1 cm or less. The functional results were excellent with only minor limitations of motion having been found in 25 patients. Disability payments were made to 39 patients and all patients (except for the one who retired due to age) had returned to their prior jobs.