An open fracture, also called a compound fracture, is a type of bone fracture (broken bone) that has an open wound in the skin near the fractured bone. The skin wound is usually caused by the bone breaking through the surface of the skin. An open fracture can be life threatening or limb-threatening (person may be at risk of losing a limb) due to the risk of a deep infection and/or bleeding. Open fractures are often caused by high energy trauma such as road traffic accidents and are associated with a high degree of damage to the bone and nearby soft tissue.[1] Other potential complications include nerve damage or impaired bone healing, including malunion or nonunion. The severity of open fractures can vary. For diagnosing and classifying open fractures, Gustilo-Anderson open fracture classification is the most commonly used method.[2] This classification system can also be used to guide treatment, and to predict clinical outcomes. Advanced trauma life support is the first line of action in dealing with open fractures and to rule out other life-threatening condition in cases of trauma. The person is also administered antibiotics for at least 24 hours to reduce the risk of an infection.[1]
Diagram of an open, transverse, midshaft radius fracture
Cephalosporins, sometimes with aminoglycosides, are generally the first line of antibiotics and are used usually for at least three days.[3] Therapeutic irrigation, wound debridement, early wound closure and bone fixation core principles in management of open fractures.[4] All these actions aimed to reduce the risk of infections and promote bone healing. The bone that is most commonly injured is the tibia and working-age young men are the group of people who are at highest risk of an open fracture. Older people with osteoporosis and soft-tissue problems are also at risk.
^ abChan, James K.-K.; Aquilina, Alexander L.; Lewis, Sharon R.; Rodrigues, Jeremy N.; Griffin, Xavier L.; Nanchahal, Jagdeep (April 1, 2022). "Timing of antibiotic administration, wound debridement, and the stages of reconstructive surgery for open long bone fractures of the upper and lower limbs". The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2022 (4): CD013555. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD013555.pub2. ISSN 1469-493X. PMC 8973274. PMID 35363374.
^Gustilo, Ramon B. (July 1, 1979). "Use of Antimicrobials in the Management of Open Fractures". Archives of Surgery. 114 (7): 805–808. doi:10.1001/archsurg.1979.01370310047010. ISSN 0004-0010. PMID 454175.
^Chan, James K-K; Aquilina, Alexander L; Lewis, Sharon R; Rodrigues, Jeremy N; Griffin, Xavier L; Nanchahal, Jagdeep (April 1, 2022). Cochrane Bone, Joint and Muscle Trauma Group (ed.). "Timing of antibiotic administration, wound debridement, and the stages of reconstructive surgery for open long bone fractures of the upper and lower limbs". Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2022 (4): CD013555. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD013555.pub2. PMC 8973274. PMID 35363374.
^Eccles, Simon; Handley, Bob; Khan, Umraz, eds. (2020). Standards for the management of open fractures. Oxford New York, NY: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-884936-0.
An openfracture, also called a compound fracture, is a type of bone fracture (broken bone) that has an open wound in the skin near the fractured bone...
A bone fracture (abbreviated FRX or Fx, Fx, or #) is a medical condition in which there is a partial or complete break in the continuity of any bone in...
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is known as an open patella fracture, and closed if the overlying skin is intact. Transverse fracture of patella Comminuted fracture of patella Osteochondral...
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leg; used as a limb-sparing technique for treating complex fractures and open bone fractures; and used to treat an infected non-union of bones, which cannot...
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tibia lies directly beneath the skin, openfractures are common compared to other long bones. These openfractures are most commonly caused by high velocity...
casting while operative treatment includes fixing the fracture with metal implants through an open reduction internal fixation (ORIF). Significant recovery...
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sufficient. Many humerus shaft fractures may be treated with a brace rather than surgery. Surgical options may include open reduction and internal fixation...
or fracture healing, is a proliferative physiological process in which the body facilitates the repair of a bone fracture. Generally, bone fracture treatment...
Classifies openfractures based on wound size, extent of soft tissue loss, and degree of contamination. Hannover Fracture scale – Used in openfractures as an...
small grains of hydraulic fracturing proppants (either sand or aluminium oxide) hold the fracturesopen. Hydraulic fracturing began as an experiment in...
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