Assessment of Fixation Strategies for Severe Open Tibia Fractures

NCT ID: NCT01494519

Last Updated: 2019-02-07

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

PHASE3

Total Enrollment

442 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2011-07-31

Study Completion Date

2018-09-30

Brief Summary

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The purpose of this study is to compare the use of modern ring external fixation versus internal fixation for fracture stabilization of severe open tibia fractures.

Detailed Description

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Severe open fractures of the tibia (shin) bone are difficult to treat and are associated with high rates of infection and other complications. There is controversy regarding the best treatment, particularly in fractures with large wounds from trauma. The two current standard treatment options are to place an internal fixation device (a nail or plates with screws) or to use a device with pins that stick out of the skin and attach to rings outside the body (modern ring external fixator). It is unknown which of these standard of care treatment options will result in lower complication rates and better function of the leg.

Our goal is to perform a multi-center randomized controlled trial of the use of modern ring external fixation versus internal fixation for fracture stabilization of severe open tibia fractures. Patients who refuse randomization have the option of participating in a prospective observational study and the treatment is decided by the surgeon and patient.

Primary Aim: To compare the outcomes associated with modern ring external fixators versus standard internal fixation techniques in treating "severe" open tibia shaft or metaphyseal fractures with or without a bone defect of any size.

Primary Hypothesis: Among patients with open tibia shaft or metaphyseal fractures (with or without a bone defect of any size), the rate of re-hospitalization for major limb complications will be lower for patients treated with ring fixators than those treated with standard internal fixation.

Secondary Hypotheses: Among patients with open tibia shaft or metaphyseal fractures (with or without a bone defect of any size), the overall rate of infections will be lower for patients treated with ring fixators than those treated with standard internal fixation. Measures of fracture healing, limb function, and patient reported outcomes (including pain) will be as good or better among patients treated with ring fixators than those treated with standard internal fixation.

Secondary Aim #1: To determine the percentage of Gustilo IIIB open tibia shaft fractures that can be treated successfully (i.e. without amputation) without a soft tissue flap secondary to the use of ring external fixators.

Secondary Aim #2: To determine the two-year treatment costs associated with fixation of "severe" open tibia shaft or metaphyseal fractures (with or without a bone defect of any size) using modern ring external fixators versus standard internal fixation techniques.

Secondary Aim #3: To determine patient reported levels of satisfaction with the fixation method and overall treatment and to compare satisfaction between the two treatment groups.

Conditions

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Severe Open Fractures of the Tibia (Shin) Bone

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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Treament Arm 1

Definitive fixation with an external ring fixator.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Surgery with an external ring fixator

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Modern ring external fixator is defined as any fixator that has at least 1 ring proximal and 1 ring distal to the fracture site. The rings may be connected to the tibia using any combination of external fixation pins or wires at the surgeon's discretion. There must be at least two pins or wires connected to each ring, and typically there will be at least three pins or wires. Any FDA approved ring fixator meeting this definition from any manufacturer is allowed.

Treatment arm 2

Definitive fixation with a locked IM nail or plate

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Definitive fixation with a locked IM nail or plate

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Eligible patients with tibial diaphyseal fractures will typically receive a standard locked IM Nail. The nail must use at least one static interlock proximal to and one static interlock distal to the fracture site. The nail may be placed with either a reamed or unreamed technique.

Methaphyseal fractures, especially those with fracture lines extending into the joint may be more commonly treated with plate fixation. The plate may be applied in an open or percutaneous fashion. Any combination of locked and/or non-locked screws may be used.

Interventions

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Surgery with an external ring fixator

Modern ring external fixator is defined as any fixator that has at least 1 ring proximal and 1 ring distal to the fracture site. The rings may be connected to the tibia using any combination of external fixation pins or wires at the surgeon's discretion. There must be at least two pins or wires connected to each ring, and typically there will be at least three pins or wires. Any FDA approved ring fixator meeting this definition from any manufacturer is allowed.

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Definitive fixation with a locked IM nail or plate

Eligible patients with tibial diaphyseal fractures will typically receive a standard locked IM Nail. The nail must use at least one static interlock proximal to and one static interlock distal to the fracture site. The nail may be placed with either a reamed or unreamed technique.

Methaphyseal fractures, especially those with fracture lines extending into the joint may be more commonly treated with plate fixation. The plate may be applied in an open or percutaneous fashion. Any combination of locked and/or non-locked screws may be used.

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

1. All open tibia fractures meeting at least one of 1 the following criteria:

* Diaphyseal or metaphyseal Type IIIB (Gustilo IIIB Fractures are open fractures that require either a rotational or free flap for coverage of a soft tissue defect).
* Diaphyseal or metaphyseal Type IIIA where extensive contamination or muscle damage (e.g. all military injuries from IED) precludes nail/plate placement at first debridement.
* Diaphyseal or metaphyseal Type IIIA, where injury would have been classified as a IIIB, but because enough muscle was removed, the skin could be closed.
* Diaphyseal or metaphyseal Type IIIA, where after debridement, bone gap is greater than 1cm.
* Diaphyseal or metaphyseal Type IIIA, where fasciotomies were performed for impending or diagnosed compartment syndrome, and wounds could not be closed primarily (i.e. needs skin grafting).
2. Ages 18 - 64 years inclusive
3. Study fracture is suitable for limb salvage using either a modern ring external fixator or internal fixation (internal fixation =locked intramedullary nail or plate).

Inclusion notes:

1. Patients may have co-existing non-tibial infection, with or without antibiotic treatment.
2. Patients may have risk factors for infection including diabetes, immunosuppression from steroids or other medications, HIV, or other infections.
3. Patients may have a traumatic brain injury.
4. Patients may be treated initially with a temporary external fixator prior to randomization.
5. Patients may be treated initially at an outside institution prior to transfer to the study institution, as long as the definitive fixation was not performed prior to entrance into the study.
7. Fractures may have a gap after debridement of any size, including no gap.

Exclusion Criteria

1. Patients presenting with a traumatic amputation of the tibia
2. Patients already received definitive fixation with an IM nail, plate or ring fixator prior to study enrollment
3. Tibia already infected as diagnosed by a surgeon and currently receiving treatment for it
4. Patient speaks neither English nor Spanish
5. Patient is a prisoner
6. Patient has been diagnosed with a severe psychiatric condition
7. Patient is intellectually challenged without adequate family support
8. Patient lives outside the catchment area
9. Non-ambulatory patient due to an associated complete spinal cord injury
10. Non-ambulatory before the injury due to a pre-existing condition.
11. Complex pilon and plateau fractures. The study tibia fracture may have extension into the joint surface, but should primarily be a metaphyseal or diaphyseal fracture and not have an ipsilateral tibial plateau or pilon fracture.Contralateral tibial plateau and pilon fractures are allowed
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

64 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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United States Department of Defense

FED

Sponsor Role collaborator

Major Extremity Trauma Research Consortium

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

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Lisa Reider, MHS, PhD

Role: STUDY_DIRECTOR

Major Extremity Trauma Research Consortium

Locations

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University of Alabama at Birmingham

Birmingham, Alabama, United States

Site Status

Naval Medical Center San Diego

San Diego, California, United States

Site Status

UCSF Medical Center

San Francisco, California, United States

Site Status

Denver Health and Hospital Authority

Denver, Colorado, United States

Site Status

University of Miami Ryder Trauma Center

Miami, Florida, United States

Site Status

Orlando Regional Medical Center

Orlando, Florida, United States

Site Status

Florida Orthopaedic Institute, Tampa General Hospital

Tampa, Florida, United States

Site Status

Eskenazi Health

Indianapolis, Indiana, United States

Site Status

OrthoIndy / Methodist Hospital

Indianapolis, Indiana, United States

Site Status

St Vincent Hospital

Indianapolis, Indiana, United States

Site Status

University of Maryland, R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center

Baltimore, Maryland, United States

Site Status

Walter Reed National Military Medical Center

Bethesda, Maryland, United States

Site Status

Boston Medical Center

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Site Status

Hennepin County Medical Center / Minneapolis

Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States

Site Status

Regions Hospital

Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States

Site Status

University of Mississippi Medical Center

Jackson, Mississippi, United States

Site Status

St. Louis Medical Center

St Louis, Missouri, United States

Site Status

Mission Hospital

Asheville, North Carolina, United States

Site Status

Carolinas Medical Center

Charlotte, North Carolina, United States

Site Status

Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center

Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States

Site Status

MetroHealth Medical Center

Cleveland, Ohio, United States

Site Status

Geisinger Health System

Danville, Pennsylvania, United States

Site Status

Penn State University M.S. Hershey Medical Center

Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States

Site Status

Allegheny General Hospital

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

Site Status

University of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

Site Status

Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Nashville, Tennessee, United States

Site Status

University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

Dallas, Texas, United States

Site Status

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

El Paso, Texas, United States

Site Status

San Antonio Military Medical Center

Fort Sam Houston, Texas, United States

Site Status

UT Health: The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Medical School

Houston, Texas, United States

Site Status

University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio

San Antonio, Texas, United States

Site Status

Naval Medical Center Portsmouth

Portsmouth, Virginia, United States

Site Status

University of Wisconsin

Madison, Wisconsin, United States

Site Status

Countries

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United States

Other Identifiers

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W81XWH-09-2-0108

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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