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Tibial shaft fractures - to monitor or not? a multi-centre 2 year comparative study assessing the diagnosis of compartment syndrome in patients with tibial diaphyseal fractures.

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AIMS The aim of this study was to compare the outcome in patients who did and did not undergo continuous compartment pressure monitoring (CCPM) following a tibial diaphyseal fracture. PATIENTS… Click to show full abstract

AIMS The aim of this study was to compare the outcome in patients who did and did not undergo continuous compartment pressure monitoring (CCPM) following a tibial diaphyseal fracture. PATIENTS AND METHODS We performed a retrospective cohort study of 287 patients with an acute tibial diaphyseal fractures who presented to three centres over a two-year period. Demographic data, diagnosis, management, wound closure, complications, and subsequent surgeries were recorded. The primary outcome measure was the rate of short-term complications. Secondary outcomes were time to fasciotomy and split-skin grafting rates. RESULTS Of the 287 patients in the study cohort, 171 patients underwent CCPM (monitored group; MG) and 116 did not (non-monitored group; NMG). There were 21 patients who developed ACS and underwent fasciotomy, with comparable rates in both groups (n=13 in the MG vs n=8 in NMG; p=0.82). There was no difference in the rate of complications between groups (all p>0.05). The mean time from admission to fasciotomy was 22.1hrs, with a mean time of 19.8hrs in the MG and 25.8hrs in the NMG (mean difference, 6hrs; p=0.301). One patient in the NMG required a below-knee amputation. There was a trend towards a reduced requirement for split-skin grafting post decompression in the MG (15% vs 50%; p=0.14). CONCLUSION This study found no difference in the short-term complication rates in those patients that underwent CCPM and those that did not following a fracture of the tibial diaphysis. CCPM does appear to be safe with no increase in the rate of fasciotomies performed. There was a trend towards a reduced time to fasciotomy and a reduced rate of split skin grafting for wound closure with CCPM. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level III (Diagnostic: Retrospective cohort study).

Keywords: diagnosis; tibial diaphyseal; year; study; diaphyseal fractures; rate

Journal Title: Injury
Year Published: 2021

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