Neuromuscular Electrostimulation Device for Pre-operative Oedema Reduction - Ankle Fracture - Hospital Applications - Medical / Health Care
Accelerating readiness for theatre in patients requiring Open Reduction Internal Fixation (ORIF).
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Management of pre-operative oedema
Ankle swelling can often delay surgical fixation due to risk associated with operating on swollen tissue, including wound dehiscence and subsequent infection1.
Interventions that reduce swelling and accelerate readiness to theatre for more immediate surgical fixation can provide significant benefits to patients and healthcare providers1.
Current care might typically include leg elevation plus:
- Backslab plaster cast.
- Backslab plaster cast + external fixation.
- Backslab plaster cast + intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC).
The geko™ device is proven to accelerate readiness for theatre
A prospective and retrospective study, conducted by a major NHS trauma centre, investigated use of the geko™ to reduce pre-operative oedema in ankle fracture patient requiring Open Reduction Surgical Fixation (ORIF), and compared the results to current standards of care.
The geko™ device was fitted above the backslab plaster. The study measured patient compliance and readiness to theatre, matched to the historical cohort.
The study data was statistically significant in accelerating readiness for theatre: p=0.0012.
Results show:
- 2 days improvement in readiness to theatre per patient (average)
- With geko™ use, 60% of patients ready for theatre in 2 days, compared to 27% in control arm, a 122% improvement.
- Current treatment = 3.66 days readiness to theatre (average).
- The geko™ + plaster cast = 1.66 days readiness to theatre (average).
- The geko™ was well tolerated and easy to use.
The geko™ device is cost saving
Independent health economic analysis, of the study outcome, shows routine use the geko™ device + backslab plaster cast, to accelerate readiness to theatre, saves an average of £5693 per patient, compared to current standards of care.
Associated clinical benefits
Successful oedema management promotes:
- Post-operative wound closure and surgical site infection reduction2,4.
- Accelerated recovery – rehabilitation can begin sooner4.
- Improved theatre time scheduling5.
Associated geko™ benefits
NICE guidance (MTG19) recommends use of geko™ to:
- Reduces the risk of DVT in patients who may be contraindicated to drugs or mechanical prophylaxis6.
The geko™ is clinically proven to increase blood flow velocity in the deep veins, and in patients with plaster casts:
- Griffin & Nicolaides report that the geko™ significantly increases blood flow velocity in the deep Veins of the calf (p=0.001-0.05), where early thrombi form7.
- Warwick et al report that geko™ significantly increases blood flow velocity in patients with plaster casts (p=0.001-0.003), where calf muscle activation is reduced8.
