Incidence and factors predicting pulmonary embolism and deep venous thrombosis following surgical treatment of ankle fractures.

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to identify the incidence and risk factors associated with pulmonary embolism and deep venous thrombosis following open reduction and internal fixation of ankle fractures.

METHODS

This was a retrospective study of patients in California undergoing operative treatment of an ankle fracture from 1995 to 2005. The main outcome measure was readmission for pulmonary embolism or deep venous thrombosis within 90 days of surgery.

RESULTS

A total of 57,183 patients from the California discharge database were identified. The readmission rate for pulmonary embolism was low at 0.34%. The risk was increased in patients aged 50-75, those with open fractures, and those with higher Charlson comorbidity score. The overall rate of readmission for deep venous thrombosis was also low at 0.05%.

CONCLUSIONS

The overall rate of thromboembolic disease was low in this large patient sample. Increased age and comorbidity were associated with an increased risk.