Ankle fracture: Open reduction and internal fixation

Abstract

The patient was identified in the preoperative holding and the correct extremity confirmed. He was brought into the operating room and placed supine on the operating table. General anesthesia was delivered and IV antibiotics given. A tourniquet was applied over the proximal thigh. The right/left lower extremity was prepped and draped in the sterile usual manner. Tourniquet was inflated to 350 mmHg. An 8 cm longitudinal incision was made from the tip of the lateral malleolus extending proximally over the posterolateral aspect of the fibula. Sharp dissection was performed down to bone where the fracture hematoma and elevated periosteum were encountered.