Assessment of racial and sex disparities in open femoral fractures

BackgroundOpen femoral fractures are common; however, many factors may affect treatment protocol. We aim to assess any racial/ethnic or sex disparities associated with the definitive fixation of open femoral fractures.MethodsICD-9 codes from the National Trauma Data Bank (2007 to 2010) for patients greater than or equal to 18 years with open femoral fractures who underwent operative management at level I or II trauma centers were identified and analyzed.ResultsOf the 9,406 cases, the majority were White (61%), men (73%), and aged between 25 and 44 years (41%). The odds of definitive fixation after hospital day 2 (odds ratio [OR] .96, 95% confidence interval [CI] .82 to 1.09, P = .53) or any complication (OR .96, 95% CI .79 to 1.15, P = .69) were not associated with race/ethnicity. Men were 17% less likely to have surgery after hospital day 2 (OR .83, 95% CI .78 to .96, P < .001), and 18% more likely to have a complication (OR 1.18, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.35, P = .02).ConclusionsThere are no racial/ethnic disparities associated with the timing of definitive fixation. Men are more likely to undergo fixation earlier than women; however, they are more likely to have a complication. Fixation within the first 2 hospital days may decrease complications.