title: Functional outcome and quality of life of Gustilo IIIB open tibial fractures requiring free tissue transfers: a report of eight cases.
abstract: Eight patients with type IIIB open tibial fractures requiring free tissue transfers were retrospectively reviewed. The functional outcome was evaluated by using a scoring system developed by Puno et al. (Microsurgery 17:167-173, 1996). Short Form 36 (SF-36) was used as a measurement of individuals' quality-of-life (QOL) scores. The average total score of all cases was 77.6. An excellent or good functional outcome was achieved in 37.5% (3/8). Six patients were evaluated by SF-36. The average physical health summary (T-PH) score was 47.9, the average mental health summary (T-MH) score was 53.5, and the average total general health summary (T-GH) score was 50.7. The mean T-MH score was significantly higher than the mean T-PH score (P < 0.05). Treated cases showed an acceptable QOL, considering the results of the T-GH. The mental QOL was higher than the physical QOL. In severe open tibial fractures, it is difficult to obtain a good or excellent functional outcome, even with reconstruction using free tissue transfers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, School of Medicine, Kitasato University, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan.
authors.forename: Terumasa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Boku
authors.forename: Kazuhiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yokoyama
authors.forename: Koushin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nakamura
authors.forename: Masataka
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Uchino
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ohtsuka
authors.forename: Moritoshi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Itoman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016267:External Fixators; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D005594:Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000502:physiology; D005597:Fractures, Open / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D011336:Probability; D011788:Quality of Life; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology