[Causes and countermeasure of complications in operative management of intra - articular fracture of calcaneus].
OBJECTIVE
To discuss the probable causes of the post-surgery complications with the intra-artcular fracture of calcaneus, the proper steps for prevention and solution.


METHODS
Seventy-one patients (76 injured feet) included 49 males and 22 females aged from 19 to 56 years old (mean 35.6 years). According to Sanders' classification, 23 cases (24 injuried feet) belonged to type II, 36 (38 injured feet) were type III, the remain 12 (14 injured feet) met the criteria of type IV. All the patients received the operation of open reduction, autogenous bone grafting and internal fixation with stainless steel plates.


RESULTS
Thirteen injuried feet developed early complications. Two injuried feet got the superficial layer of the wound disrupted and infected, I had the deep layer of the wound disrupted and infected. Cutaneous necrosis at the pointed end of the wound occurred in 7 cases. Another 1 developed osteomyelitis. Two cases suffered from sural nerve damage. Two injuried feet developed late complications, both of them suffered from arthritis of talocalcaneal joint. All the patients were followed up at least 6 months (ranged from 6 to 42 months, mean 19 months). According to Kerr's post-surgery evaluation criteria, 34 injuried feet were excellent, 32 were fine, 9 were acceptable, only 1 was bad.


CONCLUSIONS
If proper measures are taken, the post-surgery complications of intra-articular fracture of calcaneus will be reduced. This requires us to be strict in selecting operation indication, to make a good plan and preparation, to select a right time for operation, to improve surgical skills and pay more attention to peri-surgery nursing. If complications happen, according measures should be taken in order to get a better outcome.
Zhang
Jian-Ping
JP
The Third People Hospital of Yuhang District, Hongzhou 311115, Zhejiang, China.
Zhang
Jun-Jie
JJ
Kong
Li-Ping
LP
Tian
Si-Qi
SQ
Yang
Shun-Hun
SH
D000328:Adult; D002111:Calcaneus / Q000293:injuries*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D033023:Foot Joints / Q000293:injuries*; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D055815:Young Adult