Development of the Italian fractures registry (RIFra): A call for action to improve quality and safety.

In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in the development of arthroplasty registries, therefore, in our country, the Italian Arthroplasty Registry (RIAP), was issued by the National Law No. 221/2012. In the last decade, however, some European countries -namely Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and Germany (in development)- have introduced another nationwide orthopaedic registry than arthroplasty registers: the fracture registry. The development of this new tool aims to improve quality and safety in fracture management, thus trying to provide a better postoperative quality of life in trauma patients. Based on these findings, the AO-Trauma Italy Council encouraged the development of a national fracture registry in Italy. The present study aims to (1) provide an overview of the fracture registries in Europe and (2) to develop, for the first time, a pilot Italian Fracture Registry (RIFra). Thirteen AO-Trauma Italy members, chairmen of Level-I orthopaedic and trauma centres, diffused throughout Italy, were involved in the RIFra project. The RIFra form, developed between November 2019 and March 2020, consists of 5 main sections, namely: epidemiologic data, previous surgical procedure (if any), patient and fracture features, surgical procedure, surgical implant details. This study constitutes the first step to start, in future years, the bureaucratic procedure leading to the final establishment of a RIAP-like fracture registry in Italy.

The treatment of femoral bone loss by axial external fixation and susbequent locking plate application: a case report.

A 20-year-old man was admitted to our hospital having sustianed bilateral high-energy femoral fractures. The right femoral fracture was an open grade 3B with OTA grade 3 bone loss. The patient had also a brain contusion with a subdural haematoma and a closed fracture of the left clavicle. Initial management included temporarily stabilisation of the femoral fractures wth external fixators and prompt transfer to the intensive care unit. Three weeks later the external fixator of the right femur was converted to an hybrid system, and the fixator of the left side was removed and a reamed intramedullary locking nail was applied. Two months after the accident the patient underwent bone transport (11 cm long) of the right femur with an monolateral external fixation. When the final length was achieved there were knee stiffness (ROM 0° to 30°) and non-union of the docking site. Therefore, the patient underwent a Judet's procedure to treat the knee stiffness and stabilisation of the non united femur with a locking plate (LISS). After the operation the patient started progressive weight bearing. A year after trauma and following union of the femur, the patient underwent soft tissue reconstruction of the anterior side of the thigh with a free vascularised flap. At final follow upo the patient had a good functional recovery with return to his previous occupation.