Accelerated Flap Coverage Versus Standard Timing in the Treatment of Severe Lower Extremity Musculoskeletal Injuries

Infection following severe lower extremity musculoskeletal injuries is a challenging problem. Several factors hypothesized to influence infection have been explored and, in many cases, optimized or found not to be influential. A persistent area of uncertainty and variability is the timing of acute soft tissue coverage. In the United States, the mean time to coverage from injury is 10 days, and infection rates are 20-35%. In the United Kingdom, there are national guidelines to support coverage within 72 hours of injury, and infection rates are less than 10%. While the data to support early coverage is promising, the necessary evidence to make this significant change is lacking. To justify the mobilization of resources and expense required to shift practice, a definitive trial is needed. This trial seeks to fill this critical knowledge gap. The primary objective of this trial is to determine if accelerated flap coverage (within 72 hours of injury) compared to standard flap coverage timing leads lower rates of infection and infection-related complications. The trial population includes patients 18 years and older with an acute open fracture and/or dislocation below the knee, with a diagnosed need for acute soft tissue coverage with a flap. Patients who undergo primary amputation prior to attempted flap coverage will be excluded. There will be 356 participants randomized in 1:1 ratio to receive either accelerated flap coverage (goal of flap within 72 hours from injury) or flap coverage at the time that reflects the standard of care at each institution. The timing of the trial interventions, other adjunctive treatments, the fracture fixation, and flap coverage procedures will be documented for both treatment groups. Management of the fracture or dislocation, selection of flap, and post-injury flap management will be at the discretion of the operating surgeons and documented for both treatment groups. Participants will have follow-up at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months post-randomization. The primary outcome will be a composite outcome to evaluate clinical status 6 months after randomization. Components of the composite outcome will be hierarchically assessed in the following order: 1) all-cause mortality, 2) amputation related to injury, 3) re-operation for infection and/or flap complication (flap compromise, partial and/or complete flap failure), and 4) days in hospital, defined as days in an acute in-patient hospital (i.e., not rehab or nursing facility). The secondary outcomes will independently assess the individual components of the primary outcome at 6 and 12 months, the composite outcome at 12 months, and health-related quality of life and patient satisfaction over 6 and 12 months. An Adjudication Committee will review primary and secondary endpoints and a Data Safety Monitoring Committee (DSMC) will review all safety events.