ABSTRACT
Background: Severe limb injuries often present complex challenges requiring multidisciplinary intervention. The integration of orthopedic and plastic surgical techniques, known as orthoplastic collaboration, has been increasingly recognized for its potential to optimize treatment outcomes in these cases.
Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the necessity and effectiveness of orthoplastic surgical collaboration in improving clinical outcomes for patients with severe limb injuries.
Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 90 patients with severe limb injuries treated from February 2023 to February 2024. Patients were divided into two groups: those who received treatment solely by orthopedic surgeons (n=45) and those treated through orthoplastic collaboration (n=45). Data on patient demographics, injury severity, surgical interventions, complication rates, and functional outcomes were collected and analyzed.
Results: The orthoplastic collaboration group demonstrated significantly better outcomes compared to the orthopedic-only group. Specifically, the orthoplastic group had a lower rate of postoperative complications (15% vs. 35%, p<0.05) and shorter hospital stays (mean 12 days vs. 18 days, p<0.01). Additionally, functional outcomes, assessed by the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS), were superior in the orthoplastic group, with a mean score improvement of 45% compared to 30% in the orthopedic-only group (p<0.05).
Conclusion: The study concluded that orthoplastic surgical collaboration significantly enhanced treatment outcomes for severe limb injuries, reducing complication rates, hospital stay durations, and improving functional recovery. These findings underscore the necessity of an integrated orthoplastic approach in managing complex limb injuries.
Keywords: Orthoplastic surgery, severe limb injuries, multidisciplinary collaboration, orthopedic surgery, plastic surgery, treatment outcomes, functional recovery.