Tag Archives: Open fracture

Management of an open crush fracture to the foot from a lawnmower injury: A case report

by Rosario Saccomanno, DPM1*, Matthew S. Kalmar, DPM1

The Foot and Ankle Online Journal 13 (4): 14

A 50-year-old male who reported to the emergency department (ED) with an open fracture to his right great toe sustained from a lawnmower injury is presented. The patient underwent emergent overnight podiatric surgery for treatment of the traumatic crush injury. Removal of all non-viable skin, soft tissue, and bone was performed intra-operatively which ultimately resulted in a partial right hallux amputation with primary closure. This case report aims to highlight the accepted treatment protocols set forth in the management of pedal open crush injuries. Open fractures are true podiatric emergencies and delay in treatment places the patient at increased risk for poorer prognosis.

Keywords: open fracture, trauma, crush, partial amputation

ISSN 1941-6806
doi: 10.3827/faoj.2020.1303.0014

1 – Huntington Hospital at Northwell Health, Huntington, N.Y.
* – Corresponding author: saccoross@gmail.com


A pedal fracture is considered “open” when broken bone is immediately exposed to the atmosphere [1]. The mechanism of injury causing such injury is typically that of high velocity, crush-type trauma powerful enough to penetrate the layers of the integumentary system to cause said fracture. These injuries are true podiatric emergencies that are often accompanied by severe bone comminution and/or complex soft tissue degloving and may be constituted in polytrauma cases where primary, secondary, and tertiary surveys of the patient are imperative [2]. The essential goals in the management of open fractures revolve around prevention of infection, establishment of bony union, and restoration of function [1,3]. Treatment calls for non-excisional and/or excisional debridement, tetanus and antibiotic prophylaxis, and fracture stabilization, all of which have a synergistic role in attempting to prevent sepsis, minimize disability, and promote limb salvage [4].

Wound lavage acts as a form of non-excisional mechanical debridement to eradicate foreign debris from the wound site and to dilute the concentration of bacteria to a burden less than that of 105 in attempt to prevent infection [5]. Irrigation may be performed with low- or high-pressure modalities. Irrigation may be in the form of 0.9% sterile saline solution or agents such as povidone-iodine, chlorhexidine, and/or hydrogen peroxide which introduce antisepsis to the wound site [6,7]. Excisional debridement goes hand-in-hand with irrigation to further mechanically remove foreign material and nonviable tissue from the wound site [1]. Removal of devitalized tissue prepares the wound site for healthy tissue demarcation which will allow for wound closure to occur in the absence of bacterial bioburden [4].

Open fractures are particularly vulnerable to deep wound polymicrobial infection. Empiric antibiotic selection should be based on wound size, extent of soft tissue injury, and type of environment in which the injury was sustained [1,4]. Gustilo and Anderson devised a classification system with 3 types of open fractures which serves as a guide for recommended antibiotic coverage [8]. Type I open fractures are less than 1 cm in wound diameter with a simple fracture pattern and adequate soft tissue coverage. Type II open fractures have a wound diameter between 1 and 5 cm(s) with moderate soft tissue disruption yet intact periosteal and soft tissue coverage. Type III open fractures have extensive wound diameters greater than 5 cm(s) with comminution, extensive soft tissue damage, or traumatic amputation and can be further subdivided into those injuries with adequate soft tissue coverage (Type III-A), inadequate soft tissue coverage (Type III-B), or arterial compromise (Type III-C) [4,8].

Appropriate tetanus prophylaxis is imperative in cases of open fractures due to their inherently high risk of infection by Clostridium tetani, an obligate spore-forming anaerobe commonly found in farm environments that produces tetanospasmin. This is an exotoxin that causes spastic paralysis of voluntary muscles and can lead to fatal cases of respiratory arrest [1]. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) set forth recommendations in tetanus prophylaxis for wound management [9]. For those individuals sustaining an injury in a contaminated environment, both Tetanus-Diphtheria-Pertussis (TdaP) or Tetanus toxoid (Td) and Tetanus Immunoglobulin (TIG) are warranted for patients with an unknown vaccination history, those with fewer than 3 doses of Tetanus Toxoid (TT), or in cases where it has been more than 5 years since the patient’s last dose of TT. For clean, minor wounds, TdaP or Td are indicated if the patient has an unknown vaccination history or has received less than 3 doses of TT. TdaP or Td is recommended for those patients who have had 3 or more doses of TT if more than 10 years has elapsed since receiving the last dose of TT [9].

Regarding fracture stabilization, reduction followed by immobilization may be necessary to perform in the acute ED setting for open crush injuries. In the operative setting, external fixators are often employed to hold fractured fragments out to anatomic longitudinal length while not interfering with open wound management in cases of contaminated or infected open fractures. Fixation using either open or percutaneous Kirschner (K) Wires are often employed to achieve internal splintage of fracture fragments [4]. It is recommended that the implementation of internal hardware such as that of plates and/or screws is reserved for use once the open fracture site is deemed clean and the site can be primarily closed, which may need to occur in a staged-procedure fashion [1].

Case Report

In the late evening of August 23, 2018, a 50-year-old male with a past medical history significant for alcoholism presented to the ED after his right foot was run over by a commercial lawnmower during farm and landscaping work earlier that afternoon. The patient reported 6 hours from the time of injury to presentation to the hospital. The patient reported wearing steel-toe boots during the incident and reported that he continued to work through his shift after sustaining the injury. The patient denied any trauma to the left foot or any constitutional symptoms upon presentation to the ED.

After thorough primary and secondary examinations were performed, a focused lower extremity physical examination noted a diffusely edematous and ecchymotic right foot with palpable peripheral pulses and soft and non-tender compartments. Delayed capillary refill time to the right first digit with absent protective and light touch sensation were noted. A traumatically amputated distal tuft of the right hallux revealed a Gustilo-Anderson Type III-A open fracture immediately exposing segmental comminution to the distal aspect of the distal phalanx along with gravel debris and active bleeding to the site. The right hallucal nail plate was found to be loose with subungual hematoma encompassing 100% of the underlying nail bed. The patient was unable to passively move the right first toe when prompted.

The nature, severity, and time sensitivity of the patient’s injury called for immediate bedside management of his open crush fracture in the ED setting. Cefazolin, ciprofloxacin, and penicillin G potassium were administered and the patient was started on intravenous fluids. The patient was given an intramuscular (IM) dose of 0.5 mL TdaP for tetanus prophylaxis as he admitted it had been more than 10 years since his last tetanus booster. The open fracture was copiously irrigated using a total of 9 liters of 0.9% sterile saline solution. A right hallux anesthetic block was then administered. An excisional debridement of nonviable tissue as well as a total hallucal nail avulsion to evacuate subungual hematoma and to assess the true extent of the injury were performed (Figure 1). X-ray confirmed comminution of the distal phalanx with surrounding soft tissue swelling (Figure 2). The right hallux was immobilized by means of a basket-weave splint for fracture stabilization and the right foot was dressed with a bulky, compressive dressing. The patient was given pain medication for pain control.

Figure 1 Preoperative image demonstrating open fracture of the right foot with traumatic amputation of the hallucal distal tuft.

Figure 2 Plain dorsoplantar, oblique, and lateral radiographs of the foot revealing a comminuted fracture of the hallucal distal phalanx with surrounding soft tissue swelling.

At this time, the patient was prepped for emergency surgery and was instructed for his subsequent admission. The patient was booked for removal of nonviable skin, soft tissue, and bone from the right foot and instructed on the possible need for a staged procedure. The patient consented to the proposed operation and medical clearance was granted. The patient underwent the emergent operation overnight under monitored anesthesia care with local anesthetic.

Figure 3 Postoperative plain dorsoplantar, oblique, and lateral radiographs of the foot illustrating salvage of the proximal 1/3 base of the distal phalanx resulting in a partial hallux amputation.

Degloved, nonviable skin and soft tissue of the right hallux was excisionally debrided and all comminuted fragmentation of the exposed distal phalanx was excised and passed off for pathological analysis. The proximal 1/3 base of the hallucal distal phalanx was found to be viable and was salvaged intra-operatively (Figure 3). The surgical site was irrigated with 9 liters of 0.9% sterile saline solution. The remaining base of the distal phalanx was rasped to remove sharp edges and bone wax was applied over its surface. Primary closure was achieved using a flap from the plantar hallucal skin and soft tissue which ultimately resulted in a partial hallux amputation.

Surgical pathology revealed findings of hemorrhage and reactive changes without any evidence of bone or soft tissue infection. The patient was continued on IV antibiotics until the date of hospital discharge when he was transitioned to a 10-day course of cephalexin per the infectious disease specialist. The patient healed uneventfully on the outpatient basis with appropriate return to normal shoewear.

Discussion

In this case report, a farm injury caused by a commercial lawn mower resulted in an open fracture of the right hallux that required emergent overnight surgery. Immediate bedside irrigation was initiated using an initial 9 liters of 0.9% sterile saline solution to remove gross debris and bacterial contamination followed by another 9 liters of the same solution used in the operating room. Anglen identified volume, pressure, and pulsation as three variables as part of a proposed irrigation protocol utilized for the treatment of open fractures, with his recommendation calling for 3 liters of irrigation used for Type I open fractures, 6 liters for Type II open fractures, and 9 liters for Type III open fractures [6]. Though antiseptic agents have been purported to have bactericidal properties, they have been reported to cause cytotoxicity, impaired osteoblast function, delayed wound healing, and chondrocyte damage; hence, 0.9% sterile saline solution is considered the standard of choice irrigant in cases of open fractures [1]. Regarding the pressure variable in the irrigation protocol, Anglen and colleagues in another study observed a 100-fold decrease in slime-producing Staphylococcus bacterial count in wounds treated with pulsatile lavage as compared with bulb irrigation when the same solutions and volumes were used in both delivery systems [7]. Anglen reported that even though pulsation may in theory remove surface debris by means of tissue elasticity, there is no established recommendation due to limited studies on this irrigation variable [6].

Another important consideration in the management of open fractures is timing from onset of injury to debridement. The American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma (ACS-COT) deems debridement within 6 hours from time of injury to be the standard of care as a time lapse greater than this can result in 1 g of tissue inoculated with a single bacterium to duplicate 105 bacteria to convert a contaminated wound to an infected wound [4,5,10]. More recent clinical data in the literature lacks support of this postulation and concludes that early debridement is not an independent predictor of decreased risk of infection [11]. In this case, non-excisional and excisional debridement were performed at bedside within 6 hours from the onset of the patient’s injury and shortly thereafter in the operative setting, which allowed for primary wound closure via a plantar hallucal skin and soft tissue flap.

Tetanus and antibiotic prophylaxis were initiated in this case due to the severity of the patient’s open fracture as well as the farm environment where it occurred. The patient was given an IM dose of TdaP per the ED physician as more than 10 years had elapsed since the patient’s last tetanus booster. The rate of bone and/or soft tissue infection following an open fracture is purported to be 3-25% with the most common pathogens being that of natural skin flora, namely coagulase-positive Staphylococcus aureus [1,8]. For the patient’s Gustilo-Anderson Type III-A open fracture, the ED physician administered cefazolin, ciprofloxacin, and penicillin G potassium per recommendation of the podiatry service which provided appropriate gram-positive, gram-negative, and anaerobic coverage. With Type III-A open fractures occurring in a farm environment, penicillin G potassium is warranted for Clostridium spore coverage [1].In a study of 1104 open fractures, Patzakis and Wilkins reported that early administration of antibiotics, deemed within 3 hours of onset of injury, was the single most important factor in reducing rate of infection (4.7% compared with 7.4% for those that received antibiotics after 3 hours from time of injury) [12]. Following surgical debridement and primary closure, it is recommended that antibiotics are continued for an additional 24 to 48 hours in the post-operative period [1]. In this case, bone and soft tissue of the right hallux that was passed off for pathological analysis came back negative for evidence of infection. The infectious disease specialist continued the patient on cefazolin in the immediate post-operative period and discharged him with a 10-day course of cephalexin due to the open and contaminated nature of the wound upon initial patient presentation.

The emergent nature of the patient’s open fracture ultimately resulted in a partial hallux amputation. Due to the extensive amount of comminution to the distal aspect of the distal phalanx bone, these fragments could not be apposed in an improved position with internal or external fixation and were therefore deemed non-salvageable and excised altogether. Rasping of the salvaged 1/3 base of the hallucal distal phalanx and implementation of bone wax were used to smoothen osseous contour and deter spicule regrowth, respectively. Primary closure via use of a plantar hallucal skin and soft tissue flap was achieved as the site was deemed clean as a result of timely irrigation and debridement from onset of injury.

Conclusion

This article highlights a case of an open fracture to the great toe which resulted in a partial hallux amputation and outlines the accepted management of such traumatic injuries through a review of literature. Open fractures are true podiatric emergencies that can pose life-threatening changes to patients and their well-being. Traumatic great toe amputations may lead to functional and psychological disability as well as decreased propulsive effort during the push-off phase of the gait cycle. Prognosis is highly dependent on both timing of patient presentation to seek medical attention as well as on prompt rendering of medical care by the practitioner. If treatment is delayed, the patient risks suffering from a greater likelihood of morbidity and poorer prognosis. By increasing the knowledge and awareness of these debilitating injuries and their treatment protocols, the patient will be best served and the practitioner will be best guided in the overall aim to prevent infection, minimize disability, and promote limb salvage.

References

  1. Sexton SE: Open fractures of the foot and ankle. Clin Podiatr Med Surg. 2014 Oct;31(4):461-86.
  2. Biffl W, Harrington D, Cioffi W: Implementation of a tertiary trauma survey decreases missed injuries. J of Trauma: Injury, Infection, and Critical Care 2003 Jan;54(1):38-43.
  3. Weitz-Marshall AD, Bosse MJ: Timing of closure of open fractures. J Amer Acad Ortho Surgeons Nov-Dec 2002;10(6):379-84.
  4. McGlamry ED: “Open Fractures,” in McGlamry’s Comprehensive Textbook of Foot and Ankle Surgery, Vol 2, edited by JT Southerland, p 1499, Philadelphia, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2013.
  5. Bowler PG: The 10(5) bacterial growth guideline: reassessing its clinical relevance in wound healing. Ostomy Wound Manage. 2003 Jan;49(1):44-53.
  6. Anglen JO: Wound irrigation in musculoskeletal injury. J Amer Acad Ortho Surgeons Jul-Aug 2001;9(4):219-26.
  7. Anglen JO, Apostoles S, Christensen G, et al: The efficacy of various irrigation solutions in removing slime-producing Staphylococcus. J Ortho Trauma 1994 Oct;8(5):390-6.
  8. Gustilo RB, Anderson JT: Prevention of infection in the treatment of one thousand and twenty-five open fractures of long bones. J Bone and Joint Surg. 1976 Jun;58(4):453-8.
  9. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Tetanus – for clinicians. Available at: (https://www.cdc.gov/tetanus/clinicians.html). Accessed February 16, 2020.
  10. American College of Surgeons: Resources for optimal care of the injured patient 2014/resources repository. Available at: (https://www.facs.org/quality-programs/trauma/tqp/center-programs/vrc/resources). Accessed February 15, 2020.
  11. Pollak AN: Timing of débridement of open fractures. J Amer Acad Ortho Surgeons 2006;14(10 Spec No.):S48-51.
  12. Patzakis MJ, Wilkins J: Factors influencing infection rate in open fracture wounds. Clin Ortho and Rel Research 1989 Jun;(243):36-40.

 

Compartment Syndrome of the Foot associated with an Open Lisfranc Injury: A case report

by Travis Motley, DPM, FACFAS, Harold Cesar, DPM

The Foot and Ankle Online Journal 4 (10): 3

A high index of suspicion is required to recognize compartment syndrome in both closed and open fractures. [1] Compartment syndrome of the foot is well described with cases secondary to closed trauma. We present an unusual case of an open Lisfranc fracture with compartment syndrome. Diagnostic modalities are discussed and early diagnosis appears to improve the success of treatment.

Key words: Compartment Syndrome, Lisfranc joint, open fracture, closed fracture.

Accepted: September, 2011
Published: October, 2011

ISSN 1941-6806
doi: 10.3827/faoj.2011.0410.0003


Compartment syndrome is considered a surgical emergency. When not treated in a timely manner, compartment syndrome can lead to disastrous complications including muscle necrosis, Volkmann’s contracture, neurological deficit, crush syndrome, and even death. [1] There are reported cases of associated compartment syndrome in open fractures of the lower leg, however not in the foot. [2] As classically described, compartment syndrome results from increased interstitial pressure in a closed osseofascial compartment, which leads to micro vascular compromise. [3] Typically, interstitial pressures in a closed osseofascial compartment are less than intravenous pressures.

This pressure gradient allows the venous system to remain patent. When the interstitial pressure surpasses that of the intravenous pressure the veins collapse and capillary blood flow ceases. This results in swelling and increase compartment pressures. [4] Webber and Manoli identified nine compartments in the foot. Three compartments run the entire length of the foot, five compartments are contained within the forefoot, and a calcaneal compartment. [5] The consensus in the treatment of compartment syndrome is to reduce pressure in order to restore perfusion. Immediate fasciotomy is recommended to prevent long-term complications. [6,7]

Case report

A 48 year-old male was brought to the Emergency Department (ED) after a motor vehicle collision (MVC). After thorough evaluation by the trauma team, the patient was found to have suffered multiple rib fractures, a left knee laceration, and a left open Lisfranc fracture. The patient was admitted for a 23 hour observation and Foot and Ankle Surgery (FAS) was consulted for the management of the open Lisfranc fracture. The FAS evaluated the patient two hours after arriving to the ED. The patient’s past medical history was significant for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and depression. He denied prior surgeries and known drug allergies. His current medications included metformin, lisinopril, and ZoloftTM or sertraline). The patient related to occasional alcohol consumption and occasional chewing of tobacco.

During the evaluation process by FAS, the patient complained of severe pain in the left foot. The patient reported unchanged pain level even after multiple doses of analgesics in the ED.

He was administered 4 mg of DilaudidTM or hydromorphone hydrochloride and 2 mg of morphine over a two hour period before he was evaluated by FAS. Pain was elicited with palpation of the dorsal aspect of the left foot and with passive range of motion of the metatarsophalangeal joints. The dorsal aspect of the foot was tense upon palpation. Both dorsalis pedis and posterior tibial arteries were palpable. There was a 2.5 cm to 3 cm longitudinal laceration over the third inter-metatarsal space of the patient’s left foot consistent with a grade II open injury.8 There was an associated +2 edema to the dorsal aspect of the left foot. The 3rd, 4th, and 5th digits of the patient’s left foot appeared dusky however capillary refill time was less than three seconds to all of the digits.

Radiographic examination revealed a first metatarsal base fracture with mild widening of the first tarsometatarsal joint. Computer Tomography (CT) revealed comminuted fractures of the proximal first and second metatarsals with intra-articular extension. The first and second metatarsal bases were displaced laterally.

There were intra-articular fractures of third and fourth metatarsal bases noted without displacement. There was diffuse soft tissue swelling with numerous scattered subcutaneous and intramuscular air bubbles. (Figs. 1, 2 and 3)

Figure 1 lateral view showing subcutaneous air dorsally.

Figure 2 Axial view shows the Lisfranc injury with subcutaneous and intramuscular air bubbles.

Figure 3 Frontal view also shows the Lisfranc injury with subcutaneous air.

The patient was taken to the operating room for decompression fasciotomy of the left foot. The laceration on the dorsal aspect of the patient’s foot was extended proximally and distally. Upon decompression of the interosseous compartment, there was approximately forty to fifty cubic centimeters of hematoma released from the wound. After evacuating this hematoma, the dorsal aspect of the left foot was soft upon palpation and there was hyperemic response to digits 3-5. The remaining compartments were soft and were not released. The wound was then subsequently irrigated with 6 liters of normal saline. A negative pressure therapy device was then applied to the patient’s left foot (Wound Vac KCI™, San Antonio).

Four days later, the patient underwent a repeated irrigation and debridement with percutaneus fixation of the Lisfranc joint with Kirschner-wires. (Fig. 4) After a granular bed was achieved, the wound was subsequently covered with a split thickness skin graft at about 4 weeks. [7]

Figure 4 Left foot with dorsal wound and percutaneous Kirschner wires.

Discussion

The diagnosis of compartment syndrome requires a high index of suspicion as this syndrome can occur after any injury regardless of mechanism.1 With open fractures however, it was postulated that compartment syndrome is not possible because there is an escape route for hematoma. Depending on the force, open fractures may decompress one or two compartments, but the remaining compartments may be at risk for developing compartment syndrome. [8] Certain wounds do not decompress the underlying muscle by splitting the overlying fascia and thus are not able to accommodate swelling and therefore are not sufficient to allow decompression of the compartment. [2] A hole in the compartment might not constitute adequate decompression because tissue does not flow like a liquid. [4]

There are multiple modalities available to objectively diagnose compartment syndrome such as intracompartment pressure monitoring (ICP), near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), scintigraphy, and laser Doppler flowmetry. There are several sources of error and learning curves associated with each of those modalities. [1] It is recommended that compartment syndrome be confirmed by measuring the intra-compartment pressure. [4] In our patient we did not feel the need to measure the intra-compartment pressure, as clinical signs for compartment syndrome were present. Our patient had pain that remain unchanged since arriving to the ED despite the administration of multiple doses of analgesics. The dorsal aspect of the foot was tense, pain was elicited with passive range of motion, and there was pallor of the digits 3-5. All reliable clinical findings for compartment syndrome. [6] In order to prevent disabling complications, early diagnosis derived from clinical findings is the key in the successful treatment of compartment syndrome.

References

1. Elliott K, Johnstone AJ. Diagnosing acute compartment syndrome. JBJS 2003 85B: 625-632.
2. Blick SS, Brumback RJ, Poka A, Burgess AR, Ebraheim NA. Compartment syndrome in open tibial fractures. JBJS 1996 68A: 1348-1353.
3. Mubarak SJ, Owen CA, Hargens AR, Garetto LP, Akeson WH. Acute compartment syndromes: diagnosis and treatment with the aid of the wick catheter. JBJS 1978 60A:1091-1095.
4. Matsen III, FA. Compartmental syndrome. A unified concept. Clin Orthop 1975 113:8-1114.
5. Manoli II A, Weber TG. Fasciotomy of the foot: an anatomical study with special reference to release of the calcaneal compartment. Foot Ankle 1990 10: 267-275.
6. Myerson M. Diagnosis and treatment of compartment syndrome of the foot. Orthopedics 1990 13: 711-717.
7. Myerson MS. Experimental decompression of the fascial compartments of the foot – the basis for fasciotomy in acute compartment syndromes. Foot Ankle 1988 8: 308-314.
8. Gustilo RB, Anderson JT. Prevention of infection in the treatment of one thousand and twenty-five open fractures of long bones. JBJS 1976 58A: 453-458.
9. Rorabeck CH, Macnab I. Anterior tibial compartment syndrome complicating fractures of the shaft of the tibia. JBJS 1976 58A: 549-550.


Address correspondence to: Travis Motley, DPM, MS, FACFAS. John Peter Smith Hospital, 1500 South Main Street, Fort Worth, TX 76104. Email: Tmotley@jpshealth.org

1  Associate Professor, University of North Texas Health Science Center. John Peter Smith Hospital, Department of Orthopedics, Podiatry Division, 1500 South Main Street, Ft. Worth, TX 76104.
2  PGY-2, John Peter Smith Hospital, Department of Orthopedics, Podiatry Division, 1500 South Main Street, Ft. Worth, TX 76104.

© The Foot and Ankle Online Journal, 2011