Publication Name	World Journal of Meta-Analysis
Manuscript ID	116322
Country	Afghanistan

Category	Orthopedics
Manuscript Type	Systematic Reviews
Article Title	Early orthoplastic soft-tissue coverage in open tibial fractures reduces infection, nonunion, and amputation
Manuscript Source	Unsolicited Manuscript
All Author List	Ebrahem Hesham Hashem Mohamed and Shabbir Ahmad
Funding Agency and Grant Number
Corresponding Author	Shabbir Ahmad, Academic Fellow, Department of General Surgery, Nangarhar University, Kabul-Jalalabad Highway, Daronta (Darunta), Jalalabad 260101, Nangarhār, Afghanistan. shabbirahmadnoir@gmail.com
Key Words	Open tibial fracture; Soft-tissue coverage; Early coverage; Delayed coverage; Orthoplastic surgery; Flap reconstruction; Infection; Nonunion; Limb salvage; Gustilo-Anderson classification
Core Tip	Early orthoplastic management of open tibial fractures remains crucial for reducing complications and preserving limb function. This systematic review synthesizes current evidence comparing early vs delayed soft-tissue coverage in Gustilo-Anderson type IIIB and IIIC fractures. Early flap coverage, ideally within the first week after fixation, markedly decreases deep infection and nonunion rates, improves union and limb salvage, and does not increase flap failure risk. The findings reinforce the importance of coordinated orthoplastic collaboration and timely multidisciplinary care in achieving optimal outcomes for complex lower-limb trauma.
Citation	Mohamed EHH, Ahmad S. Early orthoplastic soft-tissue coverage in open tibial fractures reduces infection, nonunion, and amputation. World J Meta-Anal 2025; In press

Received	2025-11-11 13:49
Peer-Review Started	2025-11-12 00:22
First Decision by Editorial Office Director	2025-12-02 07:59
Return for Revision	2025-12-03 14:21
Revised	2025-12-04 14:52
Publication Fee Transferred
Second Decision by Editor	2025-12-23 02:35
Second Decision by Editor-in-Chief
Final Decision by Editorial Office Director	2025-12-23 07:50
Articles in Press	2025-12-23 07:50
Edit the Manuscript by Language Editor
Typeset the Manuscript

ISSN	2308-3840 (online)
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