Assessment of racial and sex disparities in open femoral fractures.
BACKGROUND
Open femoral fractures are common; however, many factors may affect treatment protocol. We aim to assess any racial/ethnic or sex disparities associated with the definitive fixation of open femoral fractures.


METHODS
ICD-9 codes from the National Trauma Data Bank (2007 to 2010) for patients greater than or equal to 18 years with open femoral fractures who underwent operative management at level I or II trauma centers were identified and analyzed.


RESULTS
Of the 9,406 cases, the majority were White (61%), men (73%), and aged between 25 and 44 years (41%). The odds of definitive fixation after hospital day 2 (odds ratio [OR] .96, 95% confidence interval [CI] .82 to 1.09, P = .53) or any complication (OR .96, 95% CI .79 to 1.15, P = .69) were not associated with race/ethnicity. Men were 17% less likely to have surgery after hospital day 2 (OR .83, 95% CI .78 to .96, P < .001), and 18% more likely to have a complication (OR 1.18, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.35, P = .02).


CONCLUSIONS
There are no racial/ethnic disparities associated with the timing of definitive fixation. Men are more likely to undergo fixation earlier than women; however, they are more likely to have a complication. Fixation within the first 2 hospital days may decrease complications.
Department of Surgery, Howard University Hospital, 2041 Georgia Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20060, USA. Electronic address: nnbranch@gmail.com.
Nisha N
NN
Branch
Department of Surgery, Howard University Hospital, 2041 Georgia Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20060, USA.
Augustine
A
Obirieze
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Howard University Hospital, 2041 Georgia Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20060, USA.
Robert H
RH
Wilson
D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D005260:Female; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005597:Fractures, Open / Q000601:surgery*; D054625:Healthcare Disparities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017678:Sex Distribution; D044465:White People
Complications; Disparities; Femur; Open fracture; Surgery; Trauma