Reverse oblique proximal femoral fracture in dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa: challenges and recommendations

A 35-year-old woman attended the emergency department after sustaining a reverse oblique proximal femur fracture, which was amenable to intramedullary nailing. Her presentation was complicated by a background of severe generalised recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa, with extensive blistering of most of her skin, including the area over the standard surgical incision sites. For the successful management of this case, extensive input from the multidisciplinary team was required, with the team facing several challenges. The whole approach to nursing and surgical management (anaesthesia, positioning, fracture reduction and wound care) had to be modified, taking great care to protect the skin at any cost, therefore reducing the risk of a surgical site infection which would be catastrophic. The management of this patient can set a framework that can be followed in similar cases, aiming for a favourable outcome of such challenging, rare conditions.