Factors affecting revenue from the management of pelvis and acetabulum fractures.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose was to define charges and reimbursement in the management of pelvis and acetabulum fractures and to identify opportunities for revenue enhancement. DESIGN: Retrospective review. SETTING: Level 1 trauma center. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: Four hundred sixty-five patients with 210 pelvic ring injuries and 285 acetabulum fractures. INTERVENTION: All fractures were treated surgically. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Professional and facility charges and collections were determined for each patient. Costs of care and profitability were calculated for patients with isolated pelvis or acetabulum fractures. RESULTS: : Definitive fixation was ≤ 24 hours of injury in 35% and >72 hours in 24%. Mean hospital length of stay (LOS) was 9.2 days, with mean 3.1 days in the intensive care unit (ICU). Mean facility charges were $51,069 with collections of $22,702 (44%). Mean orthopaedic professional charges were $20,184 with collections of $4629 (23%). Combined pelvis and acetabulum fractures had the highest facility collection rates (49%) with lower professional collections (21%) versus isolated fractures (25%, P = 0.03). The payer mix had significantly more commercial (27%), managed care (27%), and Bureau of Worker's Compensation (10%) versus the entire hospital, despite progressively more patients with Medicaid or no insurance during the study. Uninsured patients were significantly younger with lower injury severity score. Fractures managed definitively ≤ 24 hours had shorter LOS, shorter ICU stay, and fewer complications, with mean net facility revenue over costs of $2376. Longer LOS due to complications increased initial hospital costs by a mean of $14,829. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with multiple injuries generated higher facility charges and collection rates. Professional collection rates were lower in patients with more than 1 surgical procedure in the same setting. Trauma patients were more likely to have commercial, managed care, and Bureau of Worker's Compensation insurance versus the entire hospital. Fractures managed definitively within 24 hours were associated with shorter LOS, shorter ICU stay, and fewer complications, resulting in lower treatment expenses. Fracture care was profitable to the hospital when definitively completed within 72 hours. Prolonged LOS and complications were associated with larger costs of care. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Economic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Functional outcomes in women after high-energy pelvic ring injury.

OBJECTIVES: Residual dysfunction after pelvic trauma has been previously described, but limited functional outcome data are available in the female population after high-energy pelvic ring injury. The purposes of this study were to determine functional outcomes and to characterize factors predictive of outcome. DESIGN: Prospective collection of functional outcomes data. SETTING: Level I trauma center. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: Eighty-seven women with mean age of 33.5 years and mean Injury Severity Score of 23.1 were included. The Orthopaedic Trauma Association classification included 32 B-type and 55 C-type fractures. Four were open fractures and six had bladder ruptures. INTERVENTION: Forty-nine patients were treated operatively and 38 nonoperatively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Musculoskeletal Functional Assessment (MFA) questionnaires were completed after a minimum of 16 months and a mean of 41 months of follow-up. RESULTS: The mean MFA score was 33. Only 15 women (17.2%) had MFA scores comparable with an uninjured reference value (9.3), and 34 (39.1%) had better than the reference value for prior hip injury (25.5). Anteroposterior compression injuries had worse scores versus other patterns (48.3 vs 31.0, P = 0.01), and trends toward worse outcomes were noted after symphyseal disruption (P = 0.11) and transsymphyseal plating (P = 0.09). Sacral fracture or sacroiliac injury, amount of initial or final displacement, and type of posterior ring treatment were not associated with MFA scores. Mean scores were 32.3 after surgery and 34.0 after nonoperative management (P = 0.67). Functional outcomes were not related to age or Injury Severity Score, but isolated pelvis fractures had better MFA scores (21.1 vs 35.5, P = 0.008) and worse MFA scores (41.7 vs 29.1, P = 0.004) were seen with other lower extremity fractures. Those with bladder ruptures (n = 6) also had poor outcomes, mean MFA 50.0 (P = 0.078). CONCLUSIONS: Wide variation is seen in functional outcome of women after high-energy pelvic ring fracture as measured by the MFA with mean scores demonstrating substantial residual dysfunction. Better outcomes were noted after isolated fractures and in women who had not sustained other fractures in their lower extremities. History of bladder rupture or anteroposterior compression injury was associated with poor MFA scores. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Pelvic ring injury is associated with sexual dysfunction in women.

OBJECTIVES: Previous studies have reported a negative effect of pelvic trauma on genitourinary and reproductive function of women. However, fracture pattern, injury severity, and final fracture alignment have not been well studied. The purpose of this project was to describe sexual function in women after pelvic ring injury. DESIGN: Cohort study: a prospective collection of sexual function data for women with prior pelvic ring injury versus control groups of uninjured women and other women from the orthopaedic trauma clinic. SETTING: Level I trauma center. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: One hundred eighty-seven women younger than age 55 years with pelvic ring injury, including 101 B-type (61-B1: n = 25, B2: n = 69, B3: n = 7) and 86 C-type (61-C1: n = 56, C2: n = 18, C3: n = 12) fractures. Four had open fractures, and 23 had associated genitourinary injury. INTERVENTION: Seventy-four were treated operatively. Surgical treatment was percutaneous in 62: iliosacral screws (n = 58), external fixation (n = 4), or both (n = 19). Open reduction and internal fixation was performed for the pubis symphysis (n = 27), sacroiliac joint (n = 2), and posterior ileum (n = 3). MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Sexual function questionnaires were completed for 92 patients (49%) with minimum 12 months and mean 46 months follow-up. RESULTS: Forty-eight patients (56%) reported pain with intercourse. Their mean Musculoskeletal Function Assessment was 44.3 versus 20.9 without dyspareunia (P < 0.0001). Seventy-eight percent of patients with B-type fractures and 43% of patients with C-type fractures had dyspareunia (P = 0.002). Dyspareunia occurred after 91% of anteroposterior compression injuries (P = 0.02) and in 79% with a symphyseal disruption treated with plate fixation (P = 0.005). All patients with bladder ruptures (n = 5) reported dyspareunia. Sacral fracture or sacroiliac injury, type of posterior treatment, and residual malalignment of the posterior ring were not associated with dyspareunia. Fourteen patients each had associated femur fractures and/or tibia fractures. Seventeen of them had pain during intercourse (P = 0.19 for association of femoral or tibial fractures with dyspareunia). CONCLUSIONS: Dyspareunia is common in women after pelvic ring fracture. Women with pelvic ring injury are more likely to report dyspareunia than other female patients with musculoskeletal trauma. Dyspareunia was related to anteroposterior compression and B-type injuries. Symphyseal plate fixation is also associated with dyspareunia. Pain with intercourse was also noted in all patients with a history of bladder rupture. Poor functional outcomes as measured by Musculoskeletal Function Assessment scores were reported in women with dyspareunia. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Factors influencing functional outcomes after distal tibia shaft fractures.

OBJECTIVES: Surgical treatment of displaced distal tibia fractures yields reliable results with either plate or nail fixation. Comparative studies suggest more malalignment and nonunions with nails. Some studies have reported knee pain after tibial nailing. However, plates may be associated with soft tissue complications, such as infections or wound-healing problems. The purpose of this study was to assess functional outcomes after distal tibia shaft fractures treated with a plate or a nail. We hypothesized that tibial nails would be associated with more knee pain and that plates would be associated with pain from implant prominence, each of which would adversely affect functional outcome scores. DESIGN: Randomized prospective study. SETTING: Level 1 trauma center. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: One hundred four patients with extra-articular distal tibia shaft fractures (OTA 42), mean age of 38 years (range, 18-95), and mean Injury Severity Score of 14.3 (range, 9-50). INTERVENTION: Patients were randomized to treatment with a reamed intramedullary nail (n = 56) or standard large fragment medial plate (n = 48). MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Ability to work was evaluated after a minimum of 12 months, with mean of 22 months. Foot Function Index (FFI) and Musculoskeletal Function Assessment (MFA) questionnaires were completed. RESULTS: Mean MFA was 27.5, and mean total FFI was 0.26; P < 0.0001 versus an uninjured reference population. Sixty-one of 64 patients (95%) employed at the time of injury had returned to work, although 31% had modified their work duties because of injury. Three patients were unable to find work. None reported unemployment secondary to their tibial fracture. Forty percent of all patients described some persistent ankle pain, and 31% had knee pain after nailing, versus 32% and 22%, respectively after plating. Both knee and ankle pain were present in 27% with nails and 15% with plates (P = 0.08), and rates of implant removal were similar after nails versus plates. Patients with malunion ≥5 degrees were more likely to report knee or ankle pain (36% vs 20%, P < 0.05). Except 1 patient with knee pain when kneeling, none reported modifying activity because of persistent knee or ankle pain, although knee and ankle pain were more frequent in the unemployed (P = 0.03). Unemployed patients requested implant removal more frequently (24% vs 9.2%, P = 0.07) and continued to report pain afterward. Although FFI and MFA scores were not related to plate or nail fixation, open fracture, fracture pattern, multiple injuries, Injury Severity Score, or age, both MFA and FFI scores were worse when knee pain or ankle pain was present (all Ps < 0.004) and in patients who remained unemployed (P < 0.0001). All 4 patients with work-related injuries had returned to employment but had worse FFI scores (P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Mean MFA and FFI scores suggest substantial residual dysfunction after distal tibia fractures when compared with an uninjured population. Mild ankle or knee pain was reported frequently after plate or nail fixation but was not limiting to activity in most. Angular malunion was associated with both knee and ankle pain, and there was a trend toward more patients with knee and ankle pain after tibial nailing. No patients reported unemployment because of their tibia fracture, but unemployed people described knee and ankle pain more frequently and had the worst functional outcome scores.

Pregnancy outcomes after pelvic ring injury.

OBJECTIVES: Previous studies reported negative effects of pelvic trauma on genitourinary and reproductive function with frequent cesarean delivery. Risk factors for cesarean delivery have not been well defined. The purpose of this project was to evaluate outcomes of pregnancy after pelvic ring injury. We hypothesized that cesarean delivery would be more frequent after pelvic fracture with potential causes including patient and physician preference, malunion, and retained hardware. DESIGN: Retrospective review with prospective collection of obstetric information. SETTING: Level I trauma center. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-one women, 16 to 40 years old, with pregnancy after healed pelvic fracture. INTERVENTION: Orthopaedic Trauma Association (OTA) classification included 10 B-type and 21 C-type fractures, 17 (55%) of which were treated surgically. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Obstetric questionnaires were obtained for 54 pregnancies after a mean 72 months follow-up. RESULTS: Sixteen women had 25 vaginal deliveries; 28% after surgical treatment for their pelvic fracture with retained anterior (16%) and/or posterior (16%) hardware, including transsymphyseal plating in three patients (12%). Thirteen women had 26 cesarean deliveries, 46% after surgical treatment for their pelvis. The new cesarean delivery rate was 44% versus 17% preinjury (P = 0.02). Two had cesarean deliveries as repeat procedures after preinjury cesarean delivery. Four had cesarean deliveries as a result of medical complications (pre-eclampsia, n = 2; breech, n = 1; labor arrest, n = 2). Seven women (54%) reported 12 cesarean deliveries (46%) resulting from pelvic fracture; three elected cesarean delivery despite their physician offering a trial of labor, whereas four were advised by their obstetrician. Cesarean delivery was not related to age, fracture pattern, treatment type, or residual pelvic displacement. A trend for cesarean delivery related to retained hardware was observed (P = 0.06). CONCLUSIONS: Uncomplicated pregnancies and deliveries are possible after pelvic fracture. The new cesarean delivery rate among these women is significantly increased with over half related to patient and obstetrical preferences. Fracture pattern, minor malalignment, and retained hardware are not absolute indications for cesarean delivery. Neither surgical care of the pelvis or retained fixation precludes successful vaginal delivery. Development of guidelines and objective indications for trial of normal labor after pelvic fracture is needed. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Randomized, prospective comparison of plate versus intramedullary nail fixation for distal tibia shaft fractures.

OBJECTIVES: Malalignment has been frequently reported after intramedullary stabilization of distal tibia fractures. Nails have also been associated with knee pain in several studies. Historically, plate fixation has resulted in increased risks of infection and nonunion. Our purposes were to compare plate and nail stabilization for distal tibia shaft fractures by assessing complications and secondary procedures. We hypothesized that nails would be associated with more malalignment and nonunion. DESIGN: Randomized, prospective study. SETTING: Level I trauma center. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: One hundred four skeletally mature patients with extra-articular distal tibia shaft fractures with a mean age of 38 years (range, 18-95 years) and mean Injury Severity Score of 13.5 (range, 9-50). The majority had high-energy injuries. INTERVENTION: Patients were randomized to a reamed intramedullary nail (n = 56) or a large fragment medial plate (n = 48). Forty fractures (39%) were open. Twenty-eight (27%) had concomitant fibula fractures that were stabilized. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Malunion, nonunion, infection, and secondary operations. RESULTS: The two treatment groups were evenly matched with respect to age, gender, Injury Severity Score, fracture pattern, and presence of open fracture. Six patients (5.8%) developed deep infection with equal numbers in the two groups. Eighty-three percent of infections occurred after open fracture (P < 0.001). Four patients (7.1%) developed nonunion after nailing versus two (4.2%) after plating (P = 0.25) with a trend for nonunion in patients who had distal fibula fixation (12% versus 4.1%, P = 0.09). All nonunions occurred after open fracture (P = 0.0007); the primary union rate for closed fractures was 100%. Primary angular malalignment of 5° or greater occurred in 13 patients with nails (23% of all nails) and four with plates (8.3% of all plates; P = 0.02 for plates versus nails). Six additional patients experienced malalignment after immediate weightbearing against medical advice. Valgus was the most common deformity (n = 16). Malunion was more common after open fracture (55%, P = 0.04). Eighty-five percent of patients with malalignment after nailing did not have fibula fixation. Eleven patients underwent 15 secondary procedures after plating, five of which were for prominent implant removal. This was not significantly different from patients treated with nailing: 10 patients had 14 procedures and five for prominent implant removal. CONCLUSIONS: High primary union rates were noted after surgical treatment of distal tibia shaft fractures with both nonlocked plates and reamed intramedullary nails. Rates of infection, nonunion, and secondary procedures were similar. Open fractures had higher rates of infection, nonunion, and malunion. Intramedullary nailing was associated with more malalignment versus plating. Fibula fixation may facilitate reduction of the tibia at the time of surgery. The effect of fibula fixation on tibia healing deserves further study. Economic assessment and functional outcomes data for this population will help to enhance our treatment decision-making.

Early definitive stabilization of unstable pelvis and acetabulum fractures reduces morbidity.

BACKGROUND: Although the benefits of acute stabilization of long bone fractures are recognized, the role of early fixation of unstable pelvis and acetabular fractures is not well-defined. The purpose of this study was to review complications and hospital course of patients treated surgically for pelvis and acetabulum fractures. We hypothesized that early definitive fixation would reduce morbidity and decrease length of stay. METHODS: Six hundred forty-five patients were treated surgically at a level I trauma center for unstable fractures of the pelvic ring (n = 251), acetabulum (n = 359), or both (n = 40). Mean age was 40.5 years, and mean Injury Severity Score (ISS) was 25.6 (range 9-66). They were retrospectively reviewed to determine complications including acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), pneumonia, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, multiple organ failure (MOF), infections, and reperations. RESULTS: Definitive fixation was within 24 hours of injury in 233 patients (early, mean 13.4 hours) and >24 hours in 412 (late, mean 99.2 hours). Twenty-nine patients (12.4%) had complications after early fixation versus 81 (19.7%) after late, p = 0.006. Length of stay and intensive care unit days were 10.7 days versus 11.6 days (p = 0.26) and 8.1 days versus 9.9 days (p = 0.03) for early and late groups, respectively. With ISS >18 (n = 165 early [ISS 32.7]; n = 253 late [ISS 33.1]), early fixation resulted in fewer pulmonary complications (12.7% versus 25%, p = 0.0002), less ARDS (4.8% versus 12.6%, p = 0.019), and less MOF (1.8% versus 4.3%, p = 0.40). Rates of complications, pulmonary complications, deep vein thrombosis, and MOF were no different for patients with pelvis versus acetabulum fractures. In patients receiving ≥ 10U packed red blood cells (n = 41 early, n = 56 late) early fixation led to fewer pulmonary complications (24% versus 55%, p = 0.002), less ARDS (12% versus 25%, p = 0.09), and MOF (7.3% versus 14%, p = 0.23). Two hundred ten patients had some chest injury (32.6%). Chest injury with Abbreviated Injury Scores ≥ 3 was present in 46 (19.7%) of early and 78 (18.9%) of late patients (p = 0.44) and was associated with pulmonary complications in 26.1% versus 35.9%; ARDS in 15.2% versus 23.1%; and MOF in 6.5% versus 6.4%, respectively (all p > 0.20). However, chest injury with Abbreviated Injury Scores ≥ 3 was independently associated with more complications including ARDS (20.2% versus 3.3%, p < 0.0001), other pulmonary complications (32.3% versus 10.4%, p < 0.0001), and MOF (6.5% versus 1.2%, p = 0.0016), regardless of timing of fixation. CONCLUSIONS: Early fixation of unstable pelvis and acetabular fractures in multiply injured patients reduces morbidity and length of intensive care unit stay, which may decrease treatment costs. Further study to ascertain the effects of associated systemic injuries and the utility of physiologic and laboratory parameters during resuscitation may delineate recommendations for optimal surgical timing in specific patient groups.