Background: The objective was to compare postoperative complications in the management of displaced intra articular calcaneal fractures (DIACF) between two groups; the open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) group versus the percutaneous fixation (PF) group.
Methods: A total of 243 DIACFs were diagnosed and 127 of them received operations either with ORIF 75 (59.1 %) or PF 52 (40.9 %) between 2004 and 2018. Postoperative complications, radiological Sanders's classification and improvement of Böhler's angle were analyzed.
Results: Early complication rate (<6 weeks), rate of deep wound infections and wound edge necrosis were significantly better in PF than in ORIF patient group. There were no significant differences in late complications (>6 weeks from operation) nor in improvement of Böhler's angle.
Conclusion: Complication rate is lower when using PF technique while fracture reduction remains the same compared to the ORIF.
Level of evidence: IV retrospective cohort study at a single institution.
Keywords: Displaced intra-articular calcaneal fracture; Open reduction and internal fixation; Percutaneous fixation; Postoperative complication.
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