BOFAS Abstracts Archive

You can search for abstracts by using the search bar below.
Alternatively you can browse through podium and poster presentations by selecting the year and / or type below. You can further refine your search using tags or use the search bar.

 



Categories: Abstracts, 2024, Podium

The Fracture Ankle Implant Review (FAIR) Study: A national multicentre retrospective review of implants, fixation methods and outcomes in fibula fixation in ankle fractures

W. Fishley, R. Morrison, T. Baldock, A. Hilley, FAIR Collaborative, CORNET, P. Baker, D. Townshend

1Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Trauma and Orthopaedics, Northumbria, United Kingdom

2University of York, York, United Kingdom

³Newcastle-Upon-Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Trauma and Orthopaedics, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, United Kingdom

4Fracture Ankle Implant Review (FAIR) Collaborative, United Kingdom

5Collaborative Orthopaedic Research Network (CORNET), North East, United Kingdom

6South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Trauma and Orthopaedics, Middlesborough, United Kingdom

Winner of the BOFAS 2024 Second Trainee Prize (Podium)

Background: In fixation of the fibula in ankle fractures, AO advocate using a lag screw and one-third tubular neutralisation plate for simple patterns. Where a lag screw cannot be placed, bridging fixation is required. A local pilot service evaluation previously identified variance in use of locking plates in all patterns with significant cost implications. The FAIR study aimed to evaluate current practice and implant use across the United Kingdom (UK) and review outcomes and complication rates between different fibula fixation methods.

Methods: The study was supported by CORNET, the North East trainee research collaborative, and BOTA. Data was collected using REDCap from 22 centres in the UK retrospectively for a one-year period between 1st January 2019 and 31st December 2019 on injury mechanism, fracture characteristics, comorbidities, fixation and complications. Followup data was collected to at least two-years from the time surgery.

Results: 1479 ankle fractures which involved fixation of the fibula were recorded; one-third tubular plate was used in 883 (59.7%) cases, a locking plate in 470 (31.8%) cases and other methods in 118 (8.1%) cases. There was significant difference between centres (p<0.001) in implant type used. Other factors associated with implant type were age, diabetes, osteoporosis, open fractures and the presence of comminution. Incidence of lateral wound breakdown and infection was higher in locking plates than one-third tubular plates (p<0.05) in AO44B fractures. There was no significant difference in non-union, fixation failure or removal of metalware.

Conclusion: There is significant variation in practice in the UK in implant use for fixation of the fibula in ankle fractures. Potentially unnecessary use of locking plates, where a one-third tubular shows equivalent outcomes, incurs additional cost and may increase the risk of lateral wound complications. We would encourage surgeons with high locking plate usage to evaluate their own unit’s practice against this data.

Previous Article The footprint of the Achilles tendon - a cadaveric study
Next Article The Hintegra Total Ankle Replacement: survivorship, failure modes and patient reported outcomes in 70 consecutive cases with a minimum 5 year follow up
Print

Documents to download


Click thumbnail below to view poster / thumbnail:

Archive of Abstracts

2024   -   Prize Winners  |  All Abstracts
2023   -   Prize Winners  |  All Abstracts
2022   -   Prize Winners  |  All Abstracts
2021   -   Prize Winners  
2019   -   Podium  |  Poster
2018   -   Podium  |  Poster
2017   -   Podium  |  Poster
2016   -   Podium  |  Poster
2015   -   Podium  |  Poster
2014   -   Podium  |  Poster
2013   -   Podium  |  Poster
2011   -   All Abstracts
2009   -   All Abstracts
2008   -   All Abstracts
2007   -   All Abstracts
2006   -   All Abstracts
2005   -   All Abstracts
2004   -   All Abstracts
2002   -   All Abstracts
2001   -   All Abstracts
2000   -   All Abstracts
1999   -   All Abstracts
1998   -   All Abstracts
1997   -   All Abstracts
1996   -   All Abstracts
1995   -   All Abstracts
1994   -   All Abstracts
1993   -   All Abstracts
1991   -   All Abstracts
1990   -   All Abstracts
1989   -   All Abstracts
1987   -   All Abstracts
1985   -   All Abstracts
1983   -   All Abstracts