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European Journal of Trauma and Emergency Surgery
Published in: European Journal of Trauma and Emergency Surgery 4/2017

01-08-2017 | Review Article

Compression therapy after ankle fracture surgery: a systematic review

Authors: R. Winge, L. Bayer, H. Gottlieb, C. Ryge

Published in: European Journal of Trauma and Emergency Surgery | Issue 4/2017

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Abstract

Purpose

The main purpose of this systematic review was to investigate the effect of compression treatment on the perioperative course of ankle fractures and describe its effect on edema, pain, ankle joint mobility, wound healing complication, length of stay (LOS) and time to surgery (TTS). The aim was to suggest a recommendation to clinicians considering implementing compression therapy in the standard care of the ankle fracture patient, based on the existing literature.

Methods

We conducted a systematic search of literature including studies concerning adult patients with unstable ankle fractures undergoing surgery, testing either intermittent pneumatic compression, compression bandage and/or compression stocking and reporting its effect on edema, pain, ankle joint mobility, wound healing complication, LOS and TTS. To conclude on data a narrative synthesis was performed.

Results

The review included eight studies (451 patients). Seven studies found a significant effect on edema, two studies described a significant reduction in pain, one a positive effect on ankle movement, two a positive effect on wound healing, one a reduction in LOS and finally two studies reported reduction in TTS. A systematic bias assessment showed that the included studies had methodological limitations influencing the confidence in the effect estimate.

Conclusions

Compression therapy has a beneficial effect on edema reduction and probably a positive effect on pain and ankle joint mobility, but with the methodological limitations in the included studies it is not possible to make a solid conclusion on the effect on wound healing, LOS and TTS.
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Metadata
Title
Compression therapy after ankle fracture surgery: a systematic review
Authors
R. Winge
L. Bayer
H. Gottlieb
C. Ryge
Publication date
01-08-2017
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
European Journal of Trauma and Emergency Surgery / Issue 4/2017
Print ISSN: 1863-9933
Electronic ISSN: 1863-9941
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00068-017-0801-y

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