Open Fractures Flashcards
What is an open fracture?
open fractures are defined as any kind of fracture in which there is communication through the skin with the environment.
What is another name for open fractures?
Compound fractures
What is a key fact to remember when deciding how to treat an open fracture?
Open fractures are often indicative of high energy trauma and thus other injuries may be present
What are three common injuries in high energu trauma?
C-spine injury
Pelvic fracture
Other injuries
What is the name of the classification system for open fractures
Gustilo & Anderson Classification System
How does Gustilo Classification system rate severity of open fracture injury
Type of fracture
Nature of soft tissue injury
Degree of contamination
Scale of 1-3
What is a type 1 open fracture?
Wound
- Small (
What is a type 2 open fracture?
Wound
- >1cm but
What is a type 3 open fracture?
- > 10 cm wound
- Extensive damage to skin (possible flap)
- Significant contamination
What are three special type sof open fracture which fall under type 3?
Arterial injury, Farming injuries, Fractures open 8hrs
What is 3A?
The fractured bone can be adequately covered by soft tissue despite the laceration
What is 3B?
There is extensive periosteal stripping and fracture cover requires flaps
What is 3C?
Arterial injury that needs to be repaired, regardless of soft tissue injury
What is the first step in treating an open fracture?
Initial assessment and ATLS principles (ABCDEFG)
DEGF - Don’t Ever Forget Glucose
What occurs after ATLS?
Stop haemorrhage
Give two methods of stopping haemorrhage
Direct pressure preferably
Application of a tourniquet if not
What are the dangers of inexpert tourniquet placement?
Limb ischaemia and unecessary amputation
What occurs after haemorrhage has stopped (NV assessment procedure, 4 steps)
Neurovascular assessment of limb
Analgesia
Straighten and realign limb
Repeat neurovascular assessment