OBJECTIVETo compare mid-term clinical outcomes between amputation and limb salvage in treating severe open tibial fractures with type Gustilo III B, III C.

METHODSFrom July 2007 to June 2010,68 patients with severe open tibial fractures with type Gustilo III B, III C treated by amputation and limb salvage were retrospectively analyzed. In amputation group, there were 26 males and 12 females with an average age of (44.9±16.3) years old; and 21 cases were type Gustilo (III B, 17 cases were Gustilo III C; amputation were performed in accordance with soft tissue injury degree of shank, fracture types and surgical exploration. In limb salvageg group, there were 21 males and 9 females with an average age of (43.5±14.7) years old; and 23 cases were type Gustilo III B, 7 cases were Gustilo III C; the method of internal fixation and and wound healing were performed in accordance with patients's specific condition. Operative time, blood loss, hospital stay and postoperative infection was compared between two groups; time of loading and rate of return to work was compared; VAS scoring was used to evaluate condition of pain; SF-36 health queationaire was used to assess postoperative life quality.

RESULTSTotally 60 patients were followed up (33 cases in amputation group and 27 cases in limb salvage group) with an average time of 49.1 months. Operative time, blood loss, hospital stay and postoperative infection in amputation and limb salvage group respectively was (109.0±25.7) min, (245.0±58.6) min; (168.0±49.0) ml, (311.0±137.0) ml; (13.8±2.7) d, (28.8±13.1) d; 7.9%, 36.7%. At the final following-up, there was no significance meaning between two groups in VAS scoring and rate of return to work, but time of loading in amputation group was shorter than that of in limb salvage group. Physiological function in amputation group was better than limb salvage group, while body pain was worse; and there was no signicance meaning in psychological health between two groups.

CONCLUSIONAmputation and limb salvage both can treat severe open tibial fractures, and mid-term clinical outcomes between two groups has equivalent efficacy.