Surgical site infection in tibial plateau fractures with ipsilateral compartment syndrome.

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of compartment syndrome and timing of fasciotomy wound closure on surgical site infection (SSI) after surgical fixation of tibial plateau fractures. Our primary hypothesis was that SSI rate is increased for fractures with compartment syndrome versus those without, even accounting for confounders associated with infection. Our secondary hypothesis was that infection rates are unrelated to timing of fasciotomy closure or fixation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of operative tibial plateau fractures with ipsilateral compartment syndrome (n=71) treated with fasciotomy at our level I trauma center from 2003 through 2011. A control group consisted of 602 patients with 625 operatively treated tibial plateau fractures without diagnosis of compartment syndrome. The primary outcome measure was deep SSI after ORIF. RESULTS: Fractures with compartment syndrome had a higher rate of SSI (25% versus 8%, p<0.001). The difference remained significant in our multivariate model (odds ratio, 7.27; 95% confidence interval, 3.8-13.9). Delay in timing of fasciotomy closure was associated with a 7% increase per day in odds of infection (95% confidence interval, 0.2-13; p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Tibial plateau fractures with ipsilateral compartment syndrome have a significant increase in rates of SSI compared with those without compartment syndrome (p<0.001). Delays in fasciotomy wound closure were also associated with increased odds of SSI (p<0.05).

Radiographic Predictors of Compartment Syndrome Occurring After Tibial Fracture.

OBJECTIVES: Compartment syndrome (CS) is a potentially devastating injury associated with tibial fractures. Few data exist regarding radiographic indicators of CS. We hypothesized that radiographic signs are associated with development of CS. DESIGN: Retrospective review. SETTING: Level I trauma center. PATIENTS: Consecutive series of adult patients with tibial fractures with (n = 56) and without (n = 922) CS. INTERVENTION: None. OUTCOMES: AO/OTA fracture classification, Schatzker type, fracture length, fibular fracture, CS diagnosis. RESULTS: The odds of CS increased by 1.67 per 10% increase in the ratio of fracture length to tibial length when considering all fractures. CS was most likely to occur with plateau fractures at 12% (shaft fractures, 3%; pilon fractures, 2%). Schatzker VI fractures were more likely to develop CS than any other Schatzker type. Fibular fracture was predictive of CS with plateau fractures only. Segmental fractures (AO/OTA type 42-C2) were not more likely to develop CS than other shaft fractures. CONCLUSIONS: Several objective and easily reproducible radiographic indicators should raise suspicion for CS. CS was more likely in plateau fractures, especially when fracture length was >20% of the tibial length, in the presence of fibular fracture, and classified as Schatzker VI. Conversely, segmental tibial shaft fractures were not more likely than other shaft fractures to develop CS. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.