Complications after operatively treated fractures in patients with solid organ transplantation - A systematic review of the literature.
Christian Thomas Hübner, Anna Anranter, Yannik Kalbas et al.
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In 30 seconds
This PRISMA-guided systematic review assessed postoperative outcomes after operative fracture treatment in solid organ transplant recipients. Six studies covering 2317 patients were included; proximal femoral fractures were most commonly studied, and follow-up ranged from 18 weeks to 3 years. Infectious complications were reported in four studies, with a pooled infection rate of 10%, while the pooled 90-day readmission rate was 20%. Reported mortality varied widely, from 2% to 52%. The authors concluded that infection and readmission rates did not appear substantially higher than in the general population, while noting the limited evidence base.
Key findings
- Four studies reported infectious complications; the pooled infection rate was 10%.
- The pooled 90-day readmission rate was 20%.
- Mortality ranged from 2% to 52% across studies.
- The review included six studies and 2317 patients, with cohort sizes ranging from 12 to 2163.
Why it matters
Transplant recipients may have impaired bone quality, comorbidities, and ongoing immunosuppression, making postoperative fracture outcomes clinically important to assess. This review provides a limited overview of infection, readmission, and mortality after operative fracture care. Its findings offer context for risk discussions while underscoring that outcomes vary across fracture types and patient populations.
What to keep in mind
Only six studies were included, with widely varying cohort sizes, fracture types, and follow-up durations. Mortality was reported heterogeneously, limiting comparisons.