Management of open lower limb injuries in South West England and Wales

The joint British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons/British Orthopaedic Association standards define best practice management in open diaphyseal fractures of the lower limb. The aim of our study was to review the regional approach and experience in South West England and Wales. A further objective was to evaluate service provision with regard to the standards' key recommendations.

A prospective audit was undertaken of open diaphyseal fracture patients. Compliance with published standards within all orthoplastic services in South West England and Wales was assessed, and facilities were evaluated.

A total of 86 patients were managed between October 2012 and March 2013. This was a 56% increase from 2008. Over half (56%) presented directly to the orthoplastic services with all patients undergoing debridement within 24 hours. Two-thirds (66%) of procedures were in daylight hours excluding those requiring immediate surgical intervention. Adherence to correct antibiotic therapy was 88% at admission, 50% at primary surgery and 62% at definitive surgery. Almost two-thirds (60%) of primary procedures were performed with combined senior orthoplastic teams, with 81% achieving definitive soft tissue coverage and fixation within seven days. Compliance improved in units with larger patient caseloads and where there was an early combined approach during daylight hours.

Increased open lower limb fracture workload was demonstrated across South West England and Wales, probably owing to centralisation of trauma services. An improvement in early transfer of this patient group to orthoplastic facilities has allowed all patients to be assessed and debrided within the recommended timeframe. Standards were most likely to be met in those centres seeing higher numbers of injuries and when there was a daylight hours procedure by combined orthoplastic teams.