INTRODUCTION: Implant removal following operative calcaneal fracture treatment has received little attention in the literature. The aim of the current retrospective cohort study was to assess the indications and number of wound complications following calcaneal plate removal. METHODS: All consecutive adult patients who had their plate and screws removed following the operative treatment of a closed uni- or bilateral intra-articular calcaneal fracture using a stainless steel nonlocking calcaneal plate between 2000 and 2011 were included. RESULTS: In 102 patients (46% of the total number of operated calcaneal fractures) implants were removed. Implant removal was performed in 75 patients for symptomatic reasons, in 10 patients due to implant malposition and in 19 patients because of a persistent wound infection or fistula. Following implant removal 17 (16%) patients had a wound complication (2 wound dehiscence, 15 culture positive wound infections). In 6 patients (9%) a wound complications was seen following implant removal after uncomplicated fracture surgery. Implant removal for active infection or plate fistula displayed an infection rate of 8 out of 19 (42%). CONCLUSION: Implant removal after an intra-articular calcaneal fracture treated with open reduction and internal fixation via an extended lateral approach was followed by a wound complication in 1 of every 10 patients without a preexisting wound infection. Infection rates were especially high in patients in whom the implants were removed for an active wound problem. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, retrospective case series.
INTRODUCTION: Implant removal following operative calcaneal fracture treatment has received little attention in the literature. The aim of the current retrospective cohort study was to assess the indications and number of wound complications following calcaneal plate removal. METHODS: All consecutive adult patients who had their plate and screws removed following the operative treatment of a closed uni- or bilateral intra-articular calcaneal fracture using a stainless steel nonlocking calcaneal plate between 2000 and 2011 were included. RESULTS: In 102 patients (46% of the total number of operated calcaneal fractures) implants were removed. Implant removal was performed in 75 patients for symptomatic reasons, in 10 patients due to implant malposition and in 19 patients because of a persistent wound infection or fistula. Following implant removal 17 (16%) patients had a wound complication (2 wound dehiscence, 15 culture positive wound infections). In 6 patients (9%) a wound complications was seen following implant removal after uncomplicated fracture surgery. Implant removal for active infection or plate fistula displayed an infection rate of 8 out of 19 (42%). CONCLUSION: Implant removal after an intra-articular calcaneal fracture treated with open reduction and internal fixation via an extended lateral approach was followed by a wound complication in 1 of every 10 patients without a preexisting wound infection. Infection rates were especially high in patients in whom the implants were removed for an active wound problem. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, retrospective case series.
Authors: Manouk Backes; Siem A Dingemans; Marcel G W Dijkgraaf; H Rogier van den Berg; Bart van Dijkman; Jochem M Hoogendoorn; Pieter Joosse; Ewan D Ritchie; W Herbert Roerdink; Judith P M Schots; Nico L Sosef; Ingrid J B Spijkerman; Bas A Twigt; Alexander H van der Veen; Ruben N van Veen; Jefrey Vermeulen; Dagmar I Vos; Jasper Winkelhagen; J Carel Goslings; Tim Schepers Journal: JAMA Date: 2017-12-26 Impact factor: 56.272
Authors: Manouk Backes; Siem A Dingemans; Niels W L Schep; Frank W Bloemers; Bart Van Dijkman; Frank P Garssen; Robert Haverlag; Jochem M Hoogendoorn; Pieter Joosse; Boj Mirck; Victor Postma; Ewan Ritchie; W Herbert Roerdink; Jan Bernard Sintenie; Nicolaj M R Soesman; Nico L Sosef; Bas A Twigt; Ruben N Van Veen; Alexander H Van der Veen; Romuald Van Velde; Dagmar I Vos; Mark R De Vries; Jasper Winkelhagen; J Carel Goslings; Tim Schepers Journal: BMC Surg Date: 2015-02-06 Impact factor: 2.102
Authors: Chlodwig Kirchhoff; Moritz Crönlein; Markus Wurm; Marc Beirer; Michael Zyskowski; Christopher Völk; Arthur Schwarz; Peter Biberthaler Journal: Arch Orthop Trauma Surg Date: 2020-11-01 Impact factor: 3.067
Authors: Georg Reith; Vera Schmitz-Greven; Kai O Hensel; Marco M Schneider; Tibor Tinschmann; Bertil Bouillon; Christian Probst Journal: BMC Surg Date: 2015-08-07 Impact factor: 2.102
Authors: Manouk Backes; Niels W L Schep; Jan S K Luitse; J Carel Goslings; Tim Schepers Journal: Arch Orthop Trauma Surg Date: 2015-04-26 Impact factor: 3.067