Category: Trauma Introduction/Purpose: Ankle fractures are common orthopedics injuries especially in elderly. Bone quality, activity, and other comorbidities play a role in the management of ankle fracture in older age group. Conservative treatment by casting with or without reduction consider valid option whereas the open reduction and internal fixation still the stander of care for all age groups. This review aims to provide evidence-based difference between surgical and non-surgical management of geriatrics ankle fracture in regards to healing, complication and functional outcome. Methods: Relevant comparative studies in English literature were identified up to October 2017 following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Electronic-based search on MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE, Google Scholar and Cochrane databases, and hand searching of abstracts in orthopedics, trauma and foot and ankle journals. The research team systematically reviewed published studies according to the following criteria:(1) subjects whom sustained ankle fractures with age above 50 years;(2) the intervention was done through surgical management (open reduction and internal fixation) or conservative management (closed reduction and casting or casting alone) (3) the study reported at least one desirable outcome(non-union/mal-union rate, hospital stay, period on cast, mortality, re-admission rate, functional outcome, complication rate)(4) followed up at least one year after surgical /conservative management. The data analysis was done by Comprehensive meta-analysis software using a random-effect model and SPSS 22. Statistical heterogeneity across the studies was tested using I2. Results: The non-union rate in surgical group was significantly less than conservative group, (OR: 0.127, 95% CI: [0.055, 0.292], [P <0.001])and the mal-union was similarly less in surgical group (OR: 0.128, 95% CI: [0.063, 0.262], [P <0.001]). No difference in the hospital stays detected between two groups and similarly in re-admission rate. No difference in the period in cast reported between two groups. The return to pre-injury level was better in surgery group comparing to surgical one, whereas no difference in patient satisfaction was reported between two group. The mortality rate was less in the surgical group. The total number of skin complication was more in the conservative group.No difference in the incidence of DVT between two groups whereas the PE was in the surgical group. Conclusion: Geriatrics ankle fractures are challenging injury. The surgical management of such injuries showed superior results comparing to conservative management in terms of non-union /mal-union rate and return to pre-injury level with less mortality rate, whereas no difference in complications rate, hospital stay and patient satisfaction.
Surgical versus conservative management of ankle fractures in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis
