KST
Search
- Page Path
- HOME > Search
Case Report
- Catastrophic complications from inadequate early soft tissue surveillance in a closed pilon fracture: a case report
- Jeong-Hyun Koh, Sumin Lim, Hyung Keun Song, Wan-Sun Choi, Won-Tae Cho, Seungyeob Sakong
- J Trauma Inj. 2025;38(4):404-411. Published online December 31, 2025
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.20408/jti.2025.0158
- 2,092 View
- 34 Download
-
Abstract
PDF - We present the case of a 55-year-old man with an AO/OTA 43-C3 pilon fracture in whom initial uniplanar external fixation failed to relieve persistent medial skin tenting, resulting in focal ischemic necrosis. Within 72 hours, the patient developed bullae and violaceous discoloration, which progressed to full-thickness skin breakdown. Despite staged open reduction and internal fixation and fasciocutaneous flap coverage, the patient developed chronic osteomyelitis, ultimately requiring segmental bone resection to control the infection. The patient underwent serial debridement procedures and placement of antibiotic-loaded cement spacers. Definitive reconstruction was achieved with salvage tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis using the Expert Tibial Nail system on postoperative day 319. Twelve months after fusion and bone grafting, radiographs confirmed solid union, and the patient was ambulating independently, albeit with considerable long-term functional limitations. This case underscores the importance of early and meticulous soft tissue evaluation in high-energy pilon fractures. Prompt repositioning of fracture fragments or the use of adjunctive decompression is essential. Delayed or inadequate decompression can lead to a cascade of complications, beginning with soft tissue necrosis and progressing to deep infection and limb salvage fusion, even when standard fixation protocols are followed.
-
SummaryOriginal Article
- Analysis of Radiological and Clinical Results in Treatment of Open Segmented Tibia Fractures: A Comparison between Intramedullary Nailing and Minimal Invasive Plate Osteosynthesis
- Ji Wan Kim, Hyung Keun Song
- J Trauma Inj. 2016;29(3):76-81. Published online September 30, 2016
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.20408/jti.2016.29.3.76
- 3,678 View
- 24 Download
-
Abstract
PDF
- PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to compare the data comprehensively including not only the clinical and radiographic outcomes but some parameters related to operation between the minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) technique and intramedullary nailing (IMN) for treatment of segmental tibia shaft fractures.
METHODS
We conducted a retrospective study of 31 patients (mean age, 49.3 years, range, 27-74 years), with a mean follow-up of 14.1 months (range, 12-19 months) with acute segmental tibial fractures (AO 42-C2) who underwent either surgical treatment of MIPO or IMN. In accordance with the Gustilo-Anderson classification, 11 were type I, 5 were type II, and 15 were type III. Initial compartment syndrome was confirmed in 2 cases.
RESULTS
There were no statistically significant differences in terms of the patient demographic data between the two groups. The time to definitive fixation was longer in the MIPO group (mean 13.7±10.9 days; range, 2-27) than in the intramedullary group (mean 5.4±9.6 days; range, 0-35) with statistically significant difference (p=0.002). Bony union was observed in most of cases but except 5 cases of nonunion were diagnosed (3 in the MIPO vs 2 in IMN, p=0.188). The average bone healing time was 27.1 weeks (10 to 56 weeks) in MIPO group and 23.2 weeks (13 to 66 weeks) in IMN group, respectively (p=0.056). Overall complications were 5 cases in MIPO group and 2 cases in the IMN group. Difference in LEFS was not statistically significant between both groups (p=0.824).
CONCLUSION
This study showed that segmental tibia shaft fractures treated with both MIPO and intramadullary nailing was challenging with relatively high complication rate. A well planned sequential strategy with keeping the soft tissue and personality of fracture in mind is utmost significant as much as the choice of surgical modalities. -
Summary
First
Prev
