Lower Extremity Orthopedic Augmentation Utilizing a Synthetic Hybrid-Scale Fiber Matrix

Introduction Lower extremity injuries represent about 15% of all emergency room visits in the United States, with ankle injuries accounting for 20% of these. Surgical site infections resulting from ankle reconstructive surgery can result in severe complications, including amputation. Depending on the procedure performed, surgical site infections of ankle reconstructive surgery can occur at a rate as high as 14%. A synthetic hybrid-scale fiber matrix with an engineered design resembling a native human extracellular matrix could be utilized to augment these difficult surgical procedures. Materials and methods A retrospective review of 10 patients who underwent orthopedic reconstructive surgeries of lower extremity injuries that were augmented with the synthetic hybrid-scale fiber matrix between October 2021 and February 2022 was conducted. Results Injuries included Achilles ruptures, bimalleolar and trimalleolar ankle fractures, ankle arthrodesis, and injuries of various other etiologies. All surgical wounds achieved complete closure and patients went on to fully recover. The average time to wound closure was 12.6 days after an average of 1.2 applications of the synthetic hybrid-scale fiber matrix. Post-reconstruction, two patients went on to have complications unrelated to the synthetic hybrid-scale fiber matrix, which then went on to heal uneventfully. Conclusions The positive results seen with the retrospective case series indicated that the synthetic hybrid-scale fiber matrix can promote healing and should be considered as an option in at-risk lower extremity reconstructive procedures.