Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 13, 2026
04:19
Minimally Invasive Treatment for Thoracolumbar Burst Fracture Using Sagittal Alignment Screws and A Trauma Reduction Device
Published on: November 8, 2024
1.1K
Is Discharging Patients After External Fixation and Between Stages During Periarticular Lower Extremity Fracture Care
Shannon Tse1, Frank Sierra2, Chiara Anna Giordani2
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA.
Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma
|October 29, 2025
Summary
Discharging patients with lower extremity periarticular fractures between surgical stages resulted in more pin-site infections but shorter hospital stays. This approach did not increase long-term complications for tibial plateau and pilon fracture patients.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Trauma Surgery
- Periarticular Fractures
Background:
- Staged surgical management is common for complex lower extremity periarticular fractures.
- The impact of interim hospital discharge on patient outcomes is not well-established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if discharging patients between surgical stages for periarticular fractures affects complication rates and hospital length of stay.
- To compare outcomes between patients discharged between stages and those remaining hospitalized.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study at a Level 1 trauma center.
- Included patients with tibial plateau (AO/OTA 41B/C) and pilon (43B/C) fractures treated in stages.
- Compared outcomes (complications, length of stay) between discharged and continuously hospitalized groups.
Main Results:
- Discharged patients experienced higher rates of temporary pin-site infections (14.3% vs. 2.7%) and longer intervals between stages (17.5 vs. 10.8 days).
- Discharged patients had significantly shorter total hospital lengths of stay (7.1 vs. 22.6 days).
- No significant differences were observed in rates of nonunion, deep infection, superficial infection, or reoperation between groups.
Conclusions:
- Discharge between stages for periarticular fractures leads to increased temporary pin-site infections and longer treatment intervals but does not elevate long-term complications.
- This strategy significantly reduces overall hospital length of stay.
- Continuously hospitalized patients had a higher mean Injury Severity Score.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Fractures: Bone Repair
5.0K
Treatment for a fracture is based on the type of break, the bone affected, and the patient's age.
Minor fractures with no bone displacement are treated by immobilizing the fractured bone using a cast or splint. However, in the case of fractures with displaced bones, the broken bones are repositioned before immobilization to ensure successful healing without deformation and loss of function. The realignment of fractured bone ends is performed through a process called reduction. If the...
Minor fractures with no bone displacement are treated by immobilizing the fractured bone using a cast or splint. However, in the case of fractures with displaced bones, the broken bones are repositioned before immobilization to ensure successful healing without deformation and loss of function. The realignment of fractured bone ends is performed through a process called reduction. If the...
5.0K
01:23Peripheral Artery Disease V: Postoperative Nursing Management
369
During the postoperative period, it is crucial to focus on maintaining circulation, identifying and managing potential complications, and planning for discharge.Nursing AssessmentVital signs monitoring: Regularly monitor vital signs, including blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature, to detect early signs of complications such as bleeding and infection.Circulation assessment: Monitor pulses, perform Doppler assessments, and check capillary refill, color, temperature, and...
369