The impact of fasciotomy on inpatient outcomes in lower leg fracture management.

BACKGROUND While lower extremity fractures are common injuries, concomitant compartment syndrome can lead to significant implications and surgical release (fasciotomy) is essential. The aim of this study was to identify potential predictors of compartment release and risk factors related to complications. Using a large nationwide cohort, this study compared patients suffering from lower extremity fractures with and without compartment syndrome during their primary in-hospital stay following trauma. METHODS A retrospective analysis was conducted using the prospective surgical registry of the working group for quality assurance in surgery in Switzerland, which collects data from nearly 85% of all institutions involved in trauma surgery. Inclusion criteria Patients who underwent surgical treatment for tibia and/or fibula fractures between January 2012 and December 2022 were included in the study. Statistics Statistical analysis was performed using Chi-square, Fisher's exact test, and t test. Furthermore, a regression analysis was conducted to determine the independent risk factors for fasciotomy and related complications. In the present study, a p value less than 0.001 was determined to indicate statistical significance due to the large sample size. RESULTS The total number of cases analyzed was 1784, of which 98 underwent fasciotomies and 1686 did not undergo the procedure. Patients with fasciotomies were identified as significantly younger (39 vs. 43 years old) and mostly male (85% vs. 64%), with a significantly higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score (ASA III 10% vs. 6%) and significantly more comorbidities (30% vs. 20%). These patients had significantly longer duration of surgeries (136 vs. 102 min). Furthermore, the total number of surgical interventions, the rate of antibiotic treatment, and related complications were significantly higher in the fasciotomy group. Sex, age, comorbidities, and fracture type (both bones fractured) were identified as relevant predictors for fasciotomy, while ASA class was the only predictor for in-hospital complications. Outcomes Patients who underwent fasciotomy had a significantly longer hospital stay (18 vs. 9 days) and a higher complication rate (42% vs. 6%) compared to those without fasciotomy. While fasciotomy may have played a role, other factors such as variations in patient characteristics and injury mechanisms may also contribute. Additionally, in-house mortality was found to be 0.17%, with no patient death recorded for the fasciotomy group. CONCLUSIONS Fasciotomy is vital. The knowledge about the further course is, however, helpful in resource allocation. We found significant differences between patients with and without fasciotomy in terms of age, sex, complication rate, length of stay, comorbidities, duration of operations, and use of antibiotics during their primary in-hospital stay. While the severity of the underlying trauma could not be modulated, awareness of the most relevant predictors for fasciotomy and related complications might help mitigate severe consequences and avoid adverse outcomes

Impact of nursing home admission on in-hospital mortality and morbidity and length of stay : A case-control analysis

Methods We examined a quality measurement database containing de-identified cases from across Switzerland. All patients with a complete dataset treated between 2015 and 2021 were included. A case-control matching method (same age, comorbidity, sex, diagnosis, admission type, and insurance coverage) was used to evaluate the impact of pre-admission residence. The outcomes measured included complications during hospitalization, in-hospital mortality, and length of stay. Statistical significance was set at a p-value of <0.001 due to our large size of analyzed cases. Results We noted a higher prevalence of comorbidities and higher ASA scores among the 2130 (1.9 %) patients admitted from long-term care facilities (LTCFs). Complication rates in the LTCF group were higher than those in the home group (15 % vs. 6.9 %, p = <0.001). Pneumonia was the most frequent complication in both groups. The in-hospital mortality rate was also significantly higher in the LTCF group than the home group (5.8 % vs. 1.1 %, p = <0.001). However, matched-pair analysis showed no significant difference in complication rates and overall mortality between the two groups. Patients admitted from LTCFs even had a shorter hospital stay (7.5 ± 8.7 days vs. 8.9 ± 7.9 days, p = <0.004). Conclusions Despite higher complication and mortality rates among LTCF patients, the matched-pair analysis showed no significant differences in these rates between the two groups. However, patients from LTCFs were discharged earlier, indicating the effectiveness of Switzerland's care system for older adults living in nursing homes

Impact of nursing home admission on in-hospital mortality and morbidity and length of stay: A case-control analysis

Methods: We examined a quality measurement database containing de-identified cases from across Switzerland. All patients with a complete dataset treated between 2015 and 2021 were included. A case-control matching method (same age, comorbidity, sex, diagnosis, admission type, and insurance coverage) was used to evaluate the impact of pre-admission residence. The outcomes measured included complications during hospitalization, in-hospital mortality, and length of stay. Statistical significance was set at a p-value of <0.001 due to our large size of analyzed cases. Results: We noted a higher prevalence of comorbidities and higher ASA scores among the 2130 (1.9 %) patients admitted from long-term care facilities (LTCFs). Complication rates in the LTCF group were higher than those in the home group (15 % vs. 6.9 %, p = <0.001). Pneumonia was the most frequent complication in both groups. The in-hospital mortality rate was also significantly higher in the LTCF group than the home group (5.8 % vs. 1.1 %, p = <0.001). However, matched-pair analysis showed no significant difference in complication rates and overall mortality between the two groups. Patients admitted from LTCFs even had a shorter hospital stay (7.5 ± 8.7 days vs. 8.9 ± 7.9 days, p = <0.004). Conclusions: Despite higher complication and mortality rates among LTCF patients, the matched-pair analysis showed no significant differences in these rates between the two groups. However, patients from LTCFs were discharged earlier, indicating the effectiveness of Switzerland's care system for older adults living in nursing homes