Orthoplastic Treatment of Open Lower-Limb Fractures Improves Outcomes: A 12-Year Review

Abstract

Background: The British Orthopaedic Association Standards for Orthopaedics and Trauma 4 (BOAST 4) inform the management of open lower-limb fractures. The authors conducted repeated reviews of performance against these standards over a 12-year period. This latest iteration has shown further improvements in outcomes concomitant with changes in service delivery. Methods: Data on Gustilo-Anderson grade IIIB or IIIC open lower-limb fractures were collected from a prospectively constructed departmental database and analyzed using Excel. Outcomes assessed included time to stabilization, time to definitive soft-tissue coverage, and deep infection rates. Results A total of 69% of patients in our cohort received care that aligned with BOAST 4 guidelines. Median time to stabilization was 14.2 hours and to soft-tissue coverage was 47 hours, with 71% of cases compliant with BOAST 4 guidelines. The overall deep infection rate was 6.5% in our cohort. There was a significantly lower deep infection rate in BOAST 4–compliant cases (2%) versus noncompliant cases (16%), respectively (P = 0.05). A total of 41 of 61 patients had fixation and soft-tissue coverage in a single operation (fix and flap), eight had staged operations, and 12 required local flap closure. There was no significant difference in deep infection rates among these approaches. Conclusions: Compliance with the BOAST 4 guidelines and time to definitive soft-tissue coverage have improved at our center since the last review. Deep infection rates were significantly lower in BOAST 4–compliant cases, further validating this approach. The fix and flap technique was introduced during the study period and reduces operative burden for patients. These results support a joint orthoplastic approach as the optimal management for these complex injuries. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, IV.