Clinical Outcomes of the Simple Bidirectional Counter-Traction Frame (SBCTF) in Preventing Lower Limb Deep Venous Thrombosis in Patients With Distal Tibial and Fibular Fractures.

OBJECTIVE

The study aimed to investigate the clinical effect of the Simple Bidirectional Counter-Traction Frame (SBCTF) at the bedside on preventing lower limb DVT in patients with distal tibial and fibular fractures.

METHODS

This study adopted a retrospective cohort study method and included 310 patients with unilateral closed distal tibial and fibular fractures. Among them, 204 cases that accepted conventional calcaneal traction comprised the control group, and the other 106 ones that accepted the SBCTF comprised the observation group. The DVT incidence, D-Dimer concentrations of D-Dime, activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), fibrinogen (Fib), and adverse events in both groups were compared.

RESULTS

In total of 21 patients experienced a DVT; 19 cases (9.3%) in the control group and 2 cases (1.9%) in the SBCTF group (p < 0.05). Significant lower post-treatment concentrations were observed in the SBCTF group than the control group (0.66 vs. 0.84, p < 0.05). At admission, there was no significant difference in activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) levels between the two groups, and no significant improvement was observed post-treatment (p > 0.05). No significant complications were reported within either group. The median hospitalization cost in the control group was significantly lower than that of the observation group (24,879.50 yuan vs. 25,513.00 yuan, p = 0.024).

CONCLUSION

SBCTF effectively reduces the incidence of lower limb DVT in patients with distal tibial and fibular fractures, improves the hypercoagulable state of the blood, and has good safety. It is worth investigating through randomized controlled trial testing in a long-term observation.