title: The influence of perioperative soft tissue complications on the clinical outcome in surgically treated ankle fractures.
abstract: The influence of perioperative soft tissue complications on the functional outcome after open reduction and internal fixation of closed ankle fractures was investigated. Eighty-eight consecutive patients were followed 3.7 years (SD +/- 0.6) after the injury. Two major and 21 minor soft tissue complications were registered. Average dorsal extension was 29.9 degrees (range four to 54, SD +/- 9.5) of the fractured ankles and 37.2 degrees (range eight to 60, SD +/- 9.1) of the non-fractured ankles. The average subjective functional score was 84.6 (range 40 to 100, SD +/- 14.9). A significant difference was found with respect to the subjective functional score (p = 0.048, Kruskal-Wallis test) but not with respect to dorsal extension (0.358, Kruskal-Wallis test) when comparing groups of minor, major and no soft tissue complications. This study suggests that major soft tissue complications have a negative effect on the long-term functional outcome after surgical repair of an ankle fracture. Minor soft tissue complications, primary skin problems, the timing of primary surgery and fracture types according to AO/ASIF have no or minor influence on the long-term functional result. This study confirms previous reports that the presence of osteoarthritis is frequently associated with a reduced functional outcome.
authors.affiliation: Oslo Orthopaedic University Clinic, Ullevaal Hospital, Norway. p.r.hoiness@medisin.uio.no
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Höiness
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Engebretsen
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Strömsöe
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016512:Ankle Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005592:Fracture Fixation; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000150:complications; D019990:Perioperative Care; D018461:Soft Tissue Infections / Q000150:complications; D017695:Soft Tissue Injuries / Q000150:complications; D016896:Treatment Outcome