"Skin and Wound Complications after Calcaneal Fracture Fixation"

Abstract

Soft tissue complications are one of the most feared complications after a fracture of the calcaneus and its operative treatment. The incidence of wound complications vary in literature is up to 32%. The better understanding of the blood supply of the lateral aspect to the hind foot and together with the development of minimally invasive and percutaneous techniques helped to reduce such complications. While the literature discussed several patient related factors and surgery related factors that can contribute to skin and soft tissue complications, drawing a definitive conclusion about the importance of each of these factors is still difficult. Prevention of wound complications requires some experience from the surgeon to assess the different risk factors. In many cases, wound dehiscence can be managed by dressings but when infection is suspected, serial debridement with culture specific antibiotics are needed.

The effect of postoperative immobilization in a plaster of Paris back-slab on the surgical wound-healing following the open reduction and plate and screw fixation of the closed calcaneal fractures: a randomised controlled study

“…However, despite all these precautions soft tissue necrosis, wound dehiscence and wound infection continue to be the complications that are still significantly affecting the clinical outcome in the long run (up to 32% of cases). 10 It has been a well-known fact that immobilization with controlled intermittent movements helps in better tissue healing. 4 This principle has been successfully applied for optimum healing of the fractured bones and the torn ligaments and tendons.…”