To evaluate the results of a vacuum-assisted closure device in patients presenting with open high-energy soft tissue injuries. Consecutive nonrandomized clinical study. From August 1999 through October 2000, 21 patients, with 21 high-energy soft tissue wounds (6 tibial, 10 ankle, and 5 with wounds of the forearm, elbow, femur, pelvis, and a below-knee stump) were treated with a vacuum-assisted closure device at a Level 1 trauma center. A negative atmospheric pressure device used for the management of complex open injuries. Infected wounds had dressings changed every 48 hours, whereas all others had dressings changed every 72 to 96 hours. The duration of vacuum-assisted closure use, final wound closure outcome, costs versus standard dressing changes or free flaps, and a list of all complications were recorded. All patients were followed for 6 months postcoverage. Patients averaged 4.1 sponge changes, 77% performed at bedside, with the device used an average of 19.3 days. Twelve wounds (57%) required either no further treatment or a split-thickness skin graft, and 9 (43%) required a free tissue transfer. The vacuum-assisted closure appears to be a viable adjunct for the treatment of open high-energy injuries. Application can be performed as a bedside procedure but additional soft tissue reconstruction may be needed for definitive coverage. This device does not replace the need for formal debridement of necrotic tissue, but it may avoid the need for a free tissue transfer in some patients with large traumatic wounds.

Between 1992 and 2000, 57 patients with 57 isolated fractures of the medial malleolus were treated conservatively by immobilisation in a cast. The results were assessed by examination, radiography and completion of the short form-36 questionnaire and American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society ankle-hindfoot score. Of the 57 fractures 55 healed without further treatment. The mean combined dorsi- and plantar flexion was 52.3° (25° to 82°) and the mean short form-36 and American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society scores 48.1 (28 to 60) and 89.8 (69 to 100), respectively. At review there was no evidence of medial instability, dermatological complications, malalignment of the mortise or of post-traumatic arthritis. Isolated fractures of the medial malleolus can obtain high rates of union and good functional results with conservative treatment. Operation should be reserved for bi- or trimalleolar fractures, open fractures, injuries which compromise the skin or those involving the plafond or for patients who develop painful nonunion.

Background: Operative intervention is an accepted treatment for fractures of the calcaneus. However, the literature discourages surgery for these fractures in the elderly. The purpose of this paper was to review the outcomes of surgical treatment of displaced fractures of the calcaneus in elderly patients. Methods: Between November 1987 and June 2000, forty-two patients (forty-four fractures) who were sixty-five years of age or older underwent surgery for a calcaneal fracture. The mechanism of injury, fracture pattern, and medical comorbidities were recorded. Thirty-five patients with a total of thirty-seven fractures were available for follow-up, which was conducted with physical and radiographic examinations and outcomes assessment with the Short Form-36 (SF-36), the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society ankle-hindfoot scale, and the Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment survey. Results: The minimum duration of follow-up was two years, and the average duration was forty-four months. All but one fracture (97% of the fractures) healed at an average of 110 days. The average active range of motion was 38° of plantar flexion, 10° of dorsiflexion, 16° of inversion, and 11° of eversion. The average American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society score was 82.4 points, the average SF-36 score was 52.8 points, and the average Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment score was 20.4 points. Posttraumatic subtalar arthritis developed in twelve patients. There were twelve minor complications and four major complications (three cases of osteomyelitis and one nonunion), all of which were treated successfully. Conclusions: Open reduction appears to be an acceptable method of treatment for displaced calcaneal fractures in elderly patients. Careful patient selection is necessary because individuals presenting with severe osteopenia, those who are unable to walk or are able to walk only about the house, and those with a medical condition that precludes surgery may be better candidates for nonoperative care. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions to Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Background: Pantalar arthrodesis is an important salvage option for stabilizing the hindfoot and salvaging the limb following trauma or collapse. This report evaluates the healing rates and complications which occur in diabetics and posttraumatic patients. Materials and Methods: Twenty patients presenting with post-traumatic arthritis of the ankle-hindfoot (twelve) or with Type II or Type IIIA Charcot arthropathy (eight) were managed with a pantalar fusion. Followup averaged 46 months. Patients were evaluated using the Short Form-36 (SF-36), the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle-Hindfoot score, the Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment (SMFA) and the Visual Analog Pain Scale (VAS). Results: There were no amputations in either group. Casting averaged 14.9 weeks, full weightbearing was achieved at 25.1 weeks and time to union averaged 44.1 weeks. Average age was 56.3 yrs. and BMI averaged 34.2. Fourteen patients (70%) had their surgery performed in multiple stages. Acceptable outcomes were noted for all patients for the SF-36, AOFAS and SMFA scores. VAS scores averaged 2.2. There were ten complications (50%); four patients (two in each group) required additional surgery. Conclusions: Pantalar arthrodesis is a reasonable salvage option for patients with severe post traumatic arthropathy and neuropathic arthropathy. Patients should be informed of the increased risks as well as the long periods of postoperative immobilization and nonweightbearing. We believe a pantalar arthrodesis can produce acceptable outcomes regardless of the cause of disability, with a staged or single approach, and whether the surgery is performed with plates and screws or an intramedullary device. Level of Evidence: IV, Retrospective Case Series

Inal deformities. The frequency of this complication in patients managed with an intramedullary (IM) nail for comminuted diaphyseal fractures is unknown. Questions/purposes We therefore determined (1) the frequency of LLDs, (2) whether a specific fracture pattern was associated with LLDs, (3) the frequency of reoperation, and (4) whether revision fixation ultimately corrected the LLD. Methods We studied 83 patients with 91 AO/OTA Type B or Type C fractures fixed with either an antegrade or retrograde IM nail from July 2002 through December 2005. There were 60 males and 23 females, with a mean age of 30 years (range, 15-79 years). All underwent a digitized CT scan in the immediate postoperative period. Measurements of both legs were performed. Any fixation producing a discrepancy and requiring a return to surgery was identified. Results An mean LLD of 0.58 cm was found in 98% of the patients, but only six (7%) patients had an LLD of greater than 1.25 cm. No fracture pattern or the presentation of bilateral injuries demonstrated a greater incidence of LLD. Of the patients with LLD, two patients refused further surgery while the remaining four patients, two Type B and two Type C fractures, ultimately underwent revision fixation. Repeat CT scans after revision surgery of all four patients demonstrated a residual LLD of only 0.2 cm. Conclusions Postoperative CT scans appear to be an efficient method to measure femoral length after IM nailing. Although residual LLDs may be common in comminuted femurs treated with IM nails, most LLDs do not appear to be functionally relevant. When an LLD of greater than 1.5 cm is identified, it should be discussed with the patient, who should be told that potential complications may occur with larger LLDs and that sometimes patients may benefit from repeat surgery. Level of Evidence Level IV, therapeutic study. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence....