title: Elderly tibial shaft fractures: Open fractures are not associated with increased mortality rates.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aims to assess whether elderly patients (>65 years) with open tibial shaft fractures (OFs) have increased mortality rates than those with closed fractures (CFs).
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients admitted during 2003-2005 with open/closed diaphyseal (AO 42) fractures of the tibia were eligible to participate.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pathological and peri-prosthetic fractures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 54 patients (38 females) met the inclusion criteria. Twenty-six patients had sustained CF and 28 OF (Gustilo grade I (11), grade II (five), grade IIIa (two) and grade IIIb (10)). The OF group was statistically significantly different with higher injury severity score, secondary procedures and length of hospital stay (p<0.05). A higher rate of admission/length of stay to intensive care unit and complication rate was noted in the OF group. Mortality rate between the two groups was comparable (CF=2/26, OF=3/28).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Elderly patients with OFs of the tibial shaft have similar mortality rate to those with CFs.
authors.affiliation: Academic Department of Trauma & Orthopaedics, School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cox
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: Vassilios S
authors.initials: VS
authors.lastname: Nikolaou
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kontakis
authors.forename: Peter V
authors.initials: PV
authors.lastname: Giannoudis
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D005597:Fractures, Open / Q000401:mortality* / Q000601:surgery; D005599:Fractures, Ununited / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D012086:Reoperation; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000453:epidemiology; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000401:mortality* / Q000601:surgery