@article {5301,
	title = {Elderly tibial shaft fractures: Open fractures are not associated with increased mortality rates.},
	journal = {Injury},
	volume = {41},
	year = {2010},
	month = {2010 Jun},
	pages = {620-3},
	abstract = {OBJECTIVES: This study aims to assess whether elderly patients (>65 years) with open tibial shaft fractures (OFs) have increased mortality rates than those with closed fractures (CFs).

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients admitted during 2003-2005 with open/closed diaphyseal (AO 42) fractures of the tibia were eligible to participate.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA: Pathological and peri-prosthetic fractures.

RESULTS: A total of 54 patients (38 females) met the inclusion criteria. Twenty-six patients had sustained CF and 28 OF (Gustilo grade I (11), grade II (five), grade IIIa (two) and grade IIIb (10)). The OF group was statistically significantly different with higher injury severity score, secondary procedures and length of hospital stay (p<0.05). A higher rate of admission/length of stay to intensive care unit and complication rate was noted in the OF group. Mortality rate between the two groups was comparable (CF=2/26, OF=3/28).

CONCLUSIONS: Elderly patients with OFs of the tibial shaft have similar mortality rate to those with CFs.},
	keywords = {Age Factors, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Female, Fracture Fixation, Fractures, Open, Fractures, Ununited, Humans, Injury Severity Score, Length of Stay, Male, Outcome Assessment (Health Care), Reoperation, Surgical Wound Infection, Tibial Fractures},
	issn = {1879-0267},
	doi = {10.1016/j.injury.2009.12.013},
	author = {Cox, George and Jones, Simon and Nikolaou, Vassilios S and Kontakis, George and Giannoudis, Peter V}
}
