title: Predictors of postoperative complications of Ilizarov external ring fixators in the foot and ankle.
abstract: Our objective was to determine factors associated with complications of Ilizarov external ring fixator surgery for foot and ankle disorders in persons with diabetes mellitus. We reviewed the records of patients who underwent Charcot foot reconstruction or soft tissue offloading surgery over 1 year at a single institution. We compared the association of serious pin tract infection, pin fracture, and surgical wound dehiscence with the patient age, weight, duration device was used, preoperative glucose, preoperative hemoglobin, tourniquet time, and total operating time. Fifteen patients (16 limbs) underwent reconstructive surgery. Younger age, elevated preoperative glucose, and lengthy tourniquet times were associated with complications (P = .03). These data demonstrate that 2 modifiable factors (preoperative hyperglycemia and tourniquet time) predict complications and should be mitigated to lower risk.
authors.affiliation: Amputation Prevention Center at Broadlawns Medical Center, 1801 Hickman Road, Des Moines, IA 50315, USA. Lee.C.Rogers@gmail.com
authors.forename: Lee C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Rogers
authors.forename: Nicholas J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Bevilacqua
authors.forename: Robert G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Frykberg
authors.forename: David G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Armstrong
mesh_terms: D000842:Ankle / Q000601:surgery*; D001177:Arthropathy, Neurogenic / Q000601:surgery; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000601:surgery; D016267:External Fixators / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D018889:Ilizarov Technique / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors