SAFETY OF PRIMARY CLOSURE OF SOFT TISSUE WOUNDS IN OPEN FRACTURES

Abstract

To determine if immediate closure of open wounds is safe, we examined our results over a five year period. Of the two hundred and ninety-seven open fractures, two hundred and fifty-five (86 %) were closed immediately. Grade III open fractures accounted for 24.2% of cases. The superficial infection rate was 10.9%. The combined deep infection and osteomyelitis rate was 4.7%. Neither region of injury, Gustilo grade, velocity of trauma, nor time to primary closure had a significant influence on the incidence of infection. Primary closure may be a safe practice and could be accepted as a viable treatment plan in the care of most open fractures.

The purpose of this study was to determine if immediate primary closure of open fracture wounds is a safe practice without increased deep infections and delayed/ nonunions?

There was neither an increase in deep infection nor delayed union/non-union. Benefits include a decreased requirement for repeat debridements and soft tissue procedures, minimized surgical morbidity, hospital stay, and cost of treatment. Primary closure may be a safe practice in the care of most open fractures.

The standard of care has been to leave traumatic wounds open after initial emergent surgical debridement. Due to orthopedic advancements and current resource limitations, treatment at our institution has evolved to immediate closure of all open wounds after adequate irrigation and debridement.

Of the two hundred and ninety-seven open fractures, two hundred and fifty-five (86 %) were closed immediately after irrigation and debridement. Grades 3a, 3b and 3c open fractures accounted for 24.2% of cases. The superficial infection rate of primary closure was 10.9 %. All cases resolved with oral antibiotics. The combined deep infection and osteomyelitis rate was 4.7%. Neither region of injury, Gustilo grade, velocity of trauma, nor time to primary closure had a significant influence on the incidence of infection.

The study reviewed all open fractures presenting to a Level One Trauma center over a five-year study period. Patients were followed until fracture union or complication resolution. Multiple variables were examined including patient demographics, injury mechanism, fracture location, Gustilo classification, time to antibiotic administration, surgical debridement and wound closure, and method of wound closure. Outcome measurement included infection or union problems.