Case Study 8: Melbourne to Perth

The Alfred Hospital Melbourne to Royal Perth Hospital Perth

 A 47-year-old male from Perth was working on a construction project as a rigger, building oil and gas platforms in the Bass Strait Victoria.

On the March 3, 2012 while working on a barge, a metal hatch with a mass of approximately 350kg gave way, falling across his legs resulting in bilateral crush injuries to his tibia and fibula and he was airlifted by helicopter to The Alfred Trauma Centre.

At the Alfred Hospital he was treated for bilateral tibial fractures, left tibial plateau fractures and left fibula closed fractures, right fibula comminuted compound grade 3 fractures, tight compartments of the left leg and soft tissue defect of the right pretibial.

He underwent a number of orthopedic and plastic surgical procedures including – bilateral open reduction internal fixation of tibia with unreamed nail, fasciotomy of the left leg, closure of the fasciotomy to left leg wound, split skin graft and debridement and local muscle flap to right leg.

After three weeks the muscle flap had taken and there was no evidence of infection, he remained non-weight bearing for another four weeks and commenced leg dangle for 10 min at a time.

As he had completed the acute surgical phase he was repatriated back to Perth on March 21, 2012 by Medical Connect to commence rehabilitation and for family support.