Virtual Trauma Meetings at the Grand Academy of Lagado - 30 Year Old Male, Open Tibial Fracture

Description

This virtual trauma meeting is led by Fergal Monsell, focusing on an open case discussion aimed at building orthopedic knowledge for undergraduates. The case presented concerns a 30-year-old builder who fell approximately 10 feet from a garage roof and landed on concrete, resulting in a suspected open fracture of the left leg. Kathryn Ecott, the presenter, details the patient's background and initial assessments, including a primary survey and a secondary survey confirming that the injury is isolated to the left leg without any other bony tenderness detected.



Further discussion between Ecott and consultant Henry Burnand emphasizes the importance of systemic health assessments, neurovascular status, and proper wound management. Significant attention is given to the potential for compartment syndrome due to the nature of the injury, which includes a small but significant bleeding wound on the anterior aspect of the shin, alongside a fracture of the tibia and fibula.



The dialogue covers the approach to managing such injuries, referencing British Orthopedic Association guidelines, and stresses the importance of interdisciplinary cooperation between orthopedic and plastic surgery teams for effective treatment. They discuss the classification of open fractures and the need for careful wound evaluation to prevent infection, with the seriousness of the case underscored by historical context regarding the risks of untreated fractures in the past.



Overall, the meeting illustrates a collaborative approach to trauma management, highlighting clinical decision-making, patient safety, and the evolution of treatment protocols in modern medicine.

DOI: 10.1302/3114-230168

Specialties