Outcomes of early vs delayed medial malleolar fixation in the treatment of open ankle fractures

The authors aimed to compare the outcomes of early versus delayed fixation in the treatment of clean open ankle fractures involving the medial malleolus. They found that while early fixation resulted in a shorter hospital stay and fewer operations, it was associated with a higher infection rate, particularly in more complex fractures. The study suggests that early fixation may be beneficial for resource utilization but should be approached with caution in higher energy injuries.