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Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery

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Open Access 01-11-2020 | Trauma Surgery

Seasonal effect on the incidence of post-operative wound complications after trauma-related surgery of the foot, ankle and lower leg

Authors: Fay Ruth Katharina Sanders, Mirjam van’t Hul, Rosanne Maria Güzelleke Kistemaker, Tim Schepers

Published in: Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery | Issue 11/2020

Abstract

Introduction

Post-operative wound complications remain among the most common complications of orthopedic (trauma) surgery. Recently, studies have suggested environmental factors such as season to be of influence on wound complications. Patients operated in summer are reported to have more wound complications, compared to other seasons. The aim of this study was to identify if “seasonality” was a significant predictor for wound complications in this cohort of trauma-related foot/ankle procedures.

Materials and methods

This retrospective cohort study included all patients undergoing trauma-related surgery (e.g. fracture fixation, arthrodesis, implant removal) of the foot, ankle or lower leg. Procedures were performed at a Level 1 Trauma Center between September 2015 until March 2019. Potential risk factors/confounders were identified using univariate analysis. Procedures were divided into two groups: (1) performed in summer (June, July or August), (2) other seasons (September–May). The number of surgical wound complications (FRIs, SSIs or wound dehiscence) was compared between the two groups, corrected for confounders, using multivariate regression.

Results

A total of 599 procedures were included, mostly performed in the hindfoot (47.6%). Patients were on average 46 years old, and mostly male (60.8%). The total number of wound complications was 43 (7.2%). Age, alcohol abuse, open fracture and no tourniquet use were independent predicting factors. No difference in wound complications was found between summer and other seasons, neither in univariate analysis [4 (3.2%) vs 39 (8.2%), p = 0.086] nor when corrected for predicting factors as confounders (p = 0.096).

Conclusions

No seasonality could be identified in the rate of wound complications after trauma surgery of the lower leg, ankle and foot in this cohort. This lack of effect might result from the temperate climate of this cohort. Larger temperature and precipitation differences may influence wound complications to a larger extent. However, previous studies suggesting seasonality in wound complications might also be based on coincidence.

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Title: Seasonal effect on the incidence of post-operative wound complications after trauma-related surgery of the foot, ankle and lower leg
Authors: Fay Ruth Katharina Sanders
Mirjam van’t Hul
Rosanne Maria Güzelleke Kistemaker
Tim Schepers
Publication date: 01-11-2020
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery / Issue 11/2020
Print ISSN: 0936-8051
Electronic ISSN: 1434-3916
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-020-03395-6

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Seasonal effect on the incidence of post-operative wound complications after trauma-related surgery of the foot, ankle and lower leg

Abstract

Introduction

Materials and methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Introduction

Materials and methods

Results

Conclusions

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