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Functional outcome and quality of life of Gustilo IIIB open tibial fractures requiring free tissue transfers: A report of eight cases
Author(s) -
Boku Terumasa,
Yokoyama Kazuhiko,
Nakamura Koushin,
Uchino Masataka,
Suzuki Takashi,
Ohtsuka Hiroshi,
Itoman Moritoshi
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
microsurgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.031
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1098-2752
pISSN - 0738-1085
DOI - 10.1002/micr.20164
Subject(s) - medicine , microsurgery , quality of life (healthcare) , surgery , sf 36 , health related quality of life , disease , nursing
Eight patients with type IIIB open tibial fractures requiring free tissue transfers were retrospectively reviewed. The functional outcome was evaluated by using a scoring system developed by Puno et al. (Microsurgery 17:167–173, 1996). Short Form 36 (SF‐36) was used as a measurement of individuals' quality‐of‐life (QOL) scores. The average total score of all cases was 77.6. An excellent or good functional outcome was achieved in 37.5% (3/8). Six patients were evaluated by SF‐36. The average physical health summary (T‐PH) score was 47.9, the average mental health summary (T‐MH) score was 53.5, and the average total general health summary (T‐GH) score was 50.7. The mean T‐MH score was significantly higher than the mean T‐PH score ( P < 0.05). Treated cases showed an acceptable QOL, considering the results of the T‐GH. The mental QOL was higher than the physical QOL. In severe open tibial fractures, it is difficult to obtain a good or excellent functional outcome, even with reconstruction using free tissue transfers. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery 25:532–537, 2005.