Delay in Flap Coverage for Open Tibia Fractures Increases Inpatient Complications

Accreditation Statement: The Orthopaedic Trauma Association (OTA) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Credit Designation:  OTA designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Learning Objectives

After completing this activity, learners will be able to:

1. Understand indications for early soft tissue coverage in open tibia fractures
2. Understand the urgency of soft tissue coverage for open tibia fractures
3. Consider strategies to improve access for combined soft tissue and orthopaedic procedures

Faculty

• Author: Richard Jenkinson, MD

Original release date: 8/25/2023

Expiration date: 8/25/2026

Estimated time to complete activity: 10 minutes (part of a 1.5 hour package)

Statement of Need/Description/or Summary of Gap Analysis

This video demonstrates evidence of increased complications from delay of soft tissue coverage beyond 7 days for severe open tibia fractures. This video demonstrates that infection can be improved with early soft tissue coverage for open fractures. 

References: Pincus D, Byrne JP, Nathens AB, Miller AN, Wolinsky PR, Wasserstein D, Ravi B, Jenkinson RJ.J Orthop Trauma. 2019 Apr;33(4):161-168. doi: 10.1097/BOT.0000000000001434.PMID: 30893215

Instructional Format: This Orthopaedic Trauma Association Video CME activity consists of a video and an evaluation. Adjunct materials is provided on our OTA social media platforms.

Method of Participation: There are no fees for members to participate in this activity. Non-members must pay $10 per 0.5 credit hour. This package will be $30 total. To claim AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ credit, participants must read the front matter, watch the video, and complete an evaluation. 

Disclosures:

The Orthopaedic Trauma Association has implemented a policy to comply with the current Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education requiring mitigation of all conflicts of interest. Faculty declaring a relevant commercial interest must be identified in the activity syllabus and/or program.

In accordance with disclosure policies of OTA and the ACCME, every effort has been made to ensure all CME activities are balanced, independent, objective, and scientifically rigorous. These policies include complying with ACCME’s Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education and mitigating all relevant conflicts of interest for all individuals in control of content.  

All of the relevant financial relationships listed for these individuals have been mitigated

All disclosures are available on the "Disclosure" tab of the package.

Disclaimer: The information in this educational activity is provided for general medical education purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the independent medical judgment of a physician relative to diagnostic and treatment options of a specific patient's medical condition. The viewpoints expressed in this CME activity are those of the authors/faculty. They do not represent an endorsement by the OTA.  In no event will the OTA be liable for any decision made or action taken in reliance upon the information provided through this CME activity.

Commercial Support: There is no commercial support for this activity