RESEARCH Effects of a formalized col r

lud tte stabilization is followed by early soft-tissue coverage [1-4]. tures treated at dedicated trauma units with both ortho-Sommar et al. Journal of Trauma Management & Outcomes (2015) 9:3 DOI 10.1186/s13032-015-0023-4conjoint planning of further operations. An outpatientSweden Full list of author information is available at the end of the articleSoft tissue flaps provide the protection and vascularization needed to resist infection and promote bone healing. Meling et al. reported the incidence of all open long bone fractures to be 13/105/year 2004–2007 [5]. Weiss et al. found a decreasing incidence of open tibial shaft fractures in the Swedish population, which was 2.3/105/year, 1998–2004 [6]. Because of the complexity of these fractures and the low pedic and plastic surgery services had lower complication rates and less need for revision surgery compared with those treated initially at hospitals without such combined services [8]. To ensure an orthoplastic approach, we formalized a collaboration between the Departments of reconstructive plastic surgery and orthopedics in April 2008 (Multidis-ciplinary collaboration MDC). The collaborative protocol agreed upon early attendance of plastic surgeons in ex-tremity trauma cases, preferably at the trauma room or at primary revisions of open fractures in order to expedit