title: Outcome of the management of open ankle fractures in an ortho-plastic specialist centre.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We reviewed the functional outcome of 68 patients with open ankle fractures managed in an orthoplastic specialist centre.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients managed at Frenchay Hospital over a 6 year period were divided into 3 groups: group P were patients initially seen and managed at Frenchay Hospital (an orthoplastic specialist centre), group S were patients stabilised at a different unit and referred for definitive management, while group R were patients managed in a different unit and referred following complications. Injuries were graded using the AO score and outcome was measured using the Enneking score (both validated).
  
  
  RESULTS
  19 patients (group P, mean age: 43 years), 26 patients (group S, mean age: 41 years) and 23 patients (group R, mean age: 41.9 years) made the cohort. 82.4% patients required free tissue transfer. Mean AO scores of groups P, S and R were 11.5, 12.3 and 9.7 (p+0.03). Mean number of procedures for P, S and R were 2.6, 3.5 and 4.2 (p = 0.0006). Mean follow up time was 55.5, 61.0 and 57.0 weeks respectively (p = 0.72). Mean Enneking scores for groups P, S and R were 63.3, 74.8 and 73.5 (p = 0.16).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients from groups S and R underwent more procedures. However, a similar outcome can be achieved, highlighting the importance of managing such injuries in an orthoplastic specialist centre.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, North Bristol NHS Trust, Bristol, UK. Electronic address: shaheelchummun@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Shaheel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chummun
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, North Bristol NHS Trust, Bristol, UK.
authors.forename: Thomas C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, North Bristol NHS Trust, Bristol, UK.
authors.forename: Thomas W L
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Chapman
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, North Bristol NHS Trust, Bristol, UK.
authors.forename: Umraz
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Khan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016512:Ankle Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods*; D017102:Fracture Healing; D005597:Fractures, Open / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D020127:Recovery of Function; D017695:Soft Tissue Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Enneking; Free tissue transfer; Open ankle fracture; Orthoplastic; Outcome; Specialist centre