Table I.
Baseline patient and surgical characteristics.
| Variable | RR (n = 73) | ODR (n = 79) |
|---|---|---|
| Male, n (%) | 47 (64) | 43 (54) |
| Mean age, yrs (SD) | 45.3 (15) | 48.3 (14) |
| Age, yrs, n (%) | ||
| < 60 | 59 (81) | 61 (77) |
| ≥ 60 | 14 (19) | 18 (23) |
| Mean weight, kg (SD) | 85 (14) | 88 (18) |
| Missing, n | 0 | 2 |
| Mean BMI, kg/m2 (SD) | 27 (4) | 29 (6) |
| Missing, n | 4 | 2 |
| Nicotine use, n (%) | 17 (25) | 18 (24) |
| Missing, n | 6 | 4 |
| Alcohol abuse, n (%) ‡ | 6 (9) | 8 (11) |
| Missing, n | 5 | 4 |
| Illegal drug use, n (%) | 8 (12) | 1 (1) |
| Missing, n | 4 | 4 |
| Diabetes mellitus, n (%) | 3 (4) | 4 (5) |
| Type 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Type 2 | 2 | 4 |
| COPD, n (%) | 0 | 3 (3.8) |
| PAD, n (%) | 0 | 1 (1.3) |
| Injury, n (%) | ||
| Weber B | 17 (24) | 18 (23) |
| Weber C | 41 (57) | 39 (49) |
| Maisonneuve | 11 (15) | 22 (28) |
| Isolated syndesmosis | 2 (3) | 0 |
| Other | 1 (1) | 0 |
| Missing | 1 | |
| ASA classification, n (%) | ||
| I | 38 (53) | 28 (36) |
| II | 33 (46) | 41 (53) |
| III | 1 (1) | 8 (10) |
| Missing | 1 | 2 |
| Mean surgery duration, mins (SD) | 65 (38) | 63 (36) |
| Missing, n | 7 | 8 |
| Tourniquet use, n (%) | 21 (40) | 18 (29) |
| Missing, n | 21 | 17 |
| Screws, n (%)§ | ||
| 1 | 50 (69) | 51 (65) |
| 2 | 22 (31) | 28 (35) |
| Screw diameter, mm, n (%) | ||
| 3.0 | 3 (4) | 1 (1) |
| 3.5 | 64 (89) | 74 (94) |
| 4.0 | 1 (1) | 1 (1) |
| 4.5 | 4 (6) | 3 (4) |
| Missing | 1 | |
| Cortices, n (%) | ||
| 3 | 57 (79) | 62 (78) |
| 4 | 15 (21) | 17 (22) |
| Missing | 1 | |
| Mean level, mm (SD) * | 24 (7) | 23 (9) |
| Missing, n | 4 | 3 |
| Mean time in cast after surgery, wks (SD) | 5 (2) | 5 (2) |
| Missing, n | 9 | 9 |
| Complication of fixation, n (%) | 16 (22) | 12 (15.2) |
| Missing, n | 1 | |
| Mean wks to full weightbearing (SD) | 5 (2) | 5 (2) |
| Missing, n | 2 | 1 |
*
Measured from tibial plafond to most distal syndesmotic screw.
†
Of which two combined with nonunion and one with bad reduction.
‡
More than two units per day.
§
Data missing for one patient in the RR group.
ASA, American Society of Anesthesiologists; COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; ODR, on-demand removal; PAF, peripheral artery disease; RR, routine removal; SD, standard deviation.