Effects of methamphetamines in patients with tibial shaft fractures: a retrospective cohort study at a Level 1 trauma center.

Abstract

To compare perioperative complications of patients with tibial shaft fractures treated with intramedullary implants in methamphetamine abusers and abstainers. Retrospective data analysis. Level 1 academic trauma facility, 2014‒2019. One hundred forty-eight patients who underwent intramedullary nail fixation for tibial shaft fractures, 22 (14.9%) of whom abused methamphetamines. Tibial intramedullary nail. Postoperative complications include infection, nonunion, malunion, reoperation. In orthopaedic trauma patients with tibial shaft fractures, methamphetamine use was associated with higher rates of infection (<i>P</i> = 0.01), nonunion (<i>P</i> = 0.037), and increased number of reoperations (<i>P</i> = 0.035). Methamphetamine use is associated with risk of postoperative infection, nonunion, and multiple reoperations in orthopaedic trauma patients with tibial shaft fractures. Level III.