DOS 2018

222 · DOS Abstracts The effects of on-cast intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) after ankle fracture on time to surgery and postoperative complications. A controlled before-after study Thomas Støchkel, Lars Tambour Hansen, Michael Brix, Jens Lauritsen Department of Orthopaedics, Sydvestjysk Sygehus; Department of Orthopaedics, OUH Background: Soft tissue swelling in ankle fractures often delays the timing of surgery. We have tried to shorten this delay by using an intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) device applied around the cast to try and prevent and de- crease swelling during admission. Purpose / Aim of Study: This study aims to investigate IPC’s presumed ef- fects on “time-to-surgery” (TTS) and complication rates. Materials and Methods: We have conducted a retrospective “before-and- after”-study on patients with acute, closed, surgery dependent ankle frac- tures admitted to our department from 01.03.11-01.03.15: two years prior (control) and two years after (IPC) implementing the IPC therapy as standard. Additionally, we gathered demographic and general health data on all patients. Our primary outcome measure was TTS from x-ray to surgery. Secondarily complication rates. Findings / Results: 168 patients were included in the study: 86 in the control group and 80 in the intervention group. Mean TTS – all (control: 25:01 [95% CI 18:50-31:13], IPC: 22:40 [17:27-27:52]); late surgery after 8 hours (control: 32:59 [95% CI 25:03-40:54], IPC: 31:31 [24:48-38,14]). Wound complica- tions (Control: 15% [95% CI 8,3-24,0%] IPC: 9% [95% CI 3,6-17,2%]). No incidents of DVT. No statistical difference in any measures. Conclusions: This study does not show any effect of IPC in closed ankle frac- tures but the study does have some weaknesses. The groups are from two dif- ferent time periods and will therefore contain known and unknown confounders which we have both acknowledge and tried to analyze. Even though this study does not support the use of IPC, it may, in its flaws, have weakened the effect of IPC. Furthermore, separate studies are needed to investigate the effect on open fractures and fractures with external fixation. 163.