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Open Tibia FractureFLAP ATTACKNCT07828613

Accelerated Flap Coverage Versus Standard Timing in the Treatment of Severe Lower Extremity Musculoskeletal Injuries

A study testing Accelerated Flap Coverage Surgery in people with Open Tibia Fracture and Open Dislocation of Ankle, run by Johns Hopkins University at 31 sites in United States.

Not yet recruiting

Opening soon. The study is approved but enrolment has not started yet. Sites may already take enquiries.

Sites and contacts
Official record
Search all trials

Trial summary

The goal of this randomized controlled trial is to determine if accelerated flap coverage compared to standard flap coverage timing leads to improved infection-related complications in patients with open fractures and/or dislocations below the knee. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older
What is being tested?
Accelerated Flap Coverage Surgery
Type of treatment
Surgery or procedure
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
356 participants
Where
31 sitesUnited States
Study dates
1 Jan 2027to Dec 2030
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 years and older
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Patients 18 years of age or older.
  • Severe lower extremity open fracture and/or dislocation below the knee requiring an acute flap for management of the musculoskeletal injury.
  • Treating surgeon is willing to comply with treatment allocation.
  • Able to be randomized within 72 hours of injury.

Who cannot join

  • Site is unable to implement the accelerated flap protocol due to local logistics.
  • Primary amputation anticipated prior to attempted flap for management of the injury.
  • Critical limb ischemia that requires re-vascularization for limb perfusion.
  • Chronic or acute infection at or near the musculoskeletal injury site at the time of initial injury surgery.
  • Burns at the musculoskeletal injury site.
  • Incarceration.
Show all 16Show fewer
  • Expected injury survival of less than 12 months.
  • Terminal illness with expected survival of less than 12 months.
  • Currently enrolled in a trial that does not permit co-enrollment.
  • Declined to provide informed consent.
  • Unable to obtain informed consent due to language barriers.
  • Unable to obtain informed consent because a legally authorized representative (LAR) was unavailable.
  • Anticipated problems, in the judgment of research personnel, with maintaining follow-up with the patient.
  • Prior enrollment in the trial.
  • Eligible patient or LAR was not approached within screening window (missed participant).
  • Other reason to exclude the patient, as approved by the Principal Investigators.

Trial locations and contacts

31 sites in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

Lily Mundy, MD contact

(410)706-2492

lmundy3@jhu.edu

31 sites in 1 country

United States31 sites
  • University of Maryland - Shock Trauma Center

    Baltimore, Maryland, 21201

    Mark Gage, MD, 410-448-6400, MGage@som.umaryland.edu

  • Johns Hopkins Hospital - Bayview Medical Center

    Baltimore, Maryland, 21224

    Lily Mundy, MD, 410-550-0100, lmundy3@jhu.edu

  • Johns Hopkins Hospital

    Baltimore, Maryland, 21287

    Lily Mundy, 410-706-2492, LMundy3@jhu.edu

  • Brigham and Women's Hospital

    Boston, Massachusetts, 02115

    Lydia Helliwell, MD, 617-732-5500, LHELLIWELL@BWH.HARVARD.EDU

  • University of Chicago Medicine

    Chicago, Illinois, 60637

    Maureen Beederman, MD, 888-824-0200, mbeederman@bsd.uchicago.edu

  • University of Cincinnati Medical Center

    Cincinnati, Ohio, 45219

    Michael Beltran, MD, 513-584-1000, beltrame@ucmail.uc.edu

  • University of Missouri Hospital

    Columbia, Missouri, 65212

    Gregory Della Rocca, 573-882-4141, dellaroccag@health.missouri.edu

  • Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center

    Columbus, Ohio, 43221

    Angela Collins, 614-293-5084, angela.collins@osumc.edu

  • Miami Valley Hospital

    Dayton, Ohio, 45409

    Michael Johnson, MD, 937-208-8000, michael.johnson@wright.edu

  • Inova Fairfax Hospital

    Falls Church, Virginia, 22042

    Abraham Goch, MD, 703-776-4001, Abraham.goch@inova.org

  • The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

    Houston, Texas, 77030

    Mohin Bhadkamkar, MD, 713-500-4472, Mohin.Bhadkamkar@uth.tmc.edu

  • IU Health University Hospital

    Indianapolis, Indiana, 46202

    Erin Weber, MD, 317-944-5000, eweber4@iuhealth.org

  • University of Mississippi Medical Center

    Jackson, Mississippi, 39216

    Patrick Bergin, MD, 601-984-1000, PBergin@umc.edu

  • University of Maryland - Capital Region

    Largo, Maryland, 20774

    Mark Gage, MD, 240-677-1000, MGage@som.umaryland.edu

  • Keck Hospital of USC

    Los Angeles, California, 90033

    Joseph Patterson, MD, 800-872-2273, Joseph.Patterson@med.usc.edu

  • Los Angeles Medical Center

    Los Angeles, California, 90033

    Joseph Patterson, MD, 323-409-1000, Joseph.Patterson@med.usc.edu

  • Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

    Los Angeles, California, 90084

    Geoffrey Marecek, MD, 310-423-3277, gmarecek@gmail.com

  • University of Wisconsin Health University Hospital

    Madison, Wisconsin, 53792

    Christopher Domes, MD, 608-263-6400, domes@ortho.wisc.edu

  • Medical College of Wisconsin

    Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53226

    Elizabeth Harkin, MD, 414-955-8296, elizabeth.harkin.md@gmail.com

  • Vanderbilt University Medical Center

    Nashville, Tennessee, 37232

    Lauren Tatman, MD, 615-322-5000, lauren.m.tatman@vumc.org

  • Yale New Haven Hospital

    New Haven, Connecticut, 06510

    David Colen, MD, 203-688-4242, david.colen@yale.edu

  • Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center

    New Orleans, Louisiana, 70112

    Jessica Rivera, MD, 504-568-4808, jrive5@lsuhsc.edu

  • University of Nebraska Medical Center

    Omaha, Nebraska, 68198

    Andrew Hollins, MD, 402-559-4000, ahollins@unmc.edu

  • Banner - University Medical Center Phoenix

    Phoenix, Arizona, 85006

    Michael McKee, MD, 602-839-2000, michael.mckee@bannerhealth.com

  • Oregon Health & Science University

    Portland, Oregon, 97239

    Graham DeKeyser, MD, 503-494-8311, dekeyser@ohsu.edu

  • Brown University Health

    Providence, Rhode Island, 02903

    Franca Kraenzlin, MD, 401-444-3500, FKraenzlin@brownhealth.org

  • UC Davis Medical Center

    Sacramento, California, 95817

    Ara Salibian, MD, 916-734-2011, asalibian@ucdavis.edu

  • University of Utah Hospital

    Salt Lake City, Utah, 84132

    Lucas Marchand, MD, 801-581-2121, Lucas.Marchand@hsc.utah.edu

  • UC San Diego Health

    San Diego, California, 92121

    Kathryn Dwight, MD, 858-657-8737, kddwight@health.ucsd.edu

  • UW Medical Center

    Seattle, Washington, 98195

    Jeffrey Friedrich, MD, 206-598-3300, jfriedri@uw.edu

  • Jamaica Hospital Medical Center

    The Bronx, New York, 11418

    Abhishek Ganta, MD, 718-206-6000, abhishek.ganta@nyulangone.org

Other trials in United States

About this study

The goal of this randomized controlled trial is to determine if accelerated flap coverage compared to standard flap coverage timing leads to improved infection-related complications in patients with open fractures and/or dislocations below the knee. Eligible patients will be randomized to receive either a flap within a goal of 72 hours of injury or standard of care flap timing for the institution. The primary outcome will be a composite outcome to evaluate clinical status 6 months after randomization. Components of the composite outcome will be hierarchically assessed in the following order: 1) all-cause mortality, 2) amputation related to injury, 3) re-operation for infection and/or flap complication (flap compromise, partial and/or complete flap failure), and 4) days in hospital, defined as days in an acute in-patient hospital (i.e., not rehab or nursing facility).

Read the detailed description

Infection following severe lower extremity musculoskeletal injuries is a challenging problem. Several factors hypothesized to influence infection have been explored and, in many cases, optimized or found not to be influential. A persistent area of uncertainty and variability is the timing of acute soft tissue coverage. In the United States, the mean time to coverage from injury is 10 days, and infection rates are 20-35%. In the United Kingdom, there are national guidelines to support coverage within 72 hours of injury, and infection rates are less than 10%. While the data to support early coverage is promising, the necessary evidence to make this significant change is lacking. To justify the mobilization of resources and expense required to shift practice, a definitive trial is needed. This trial seeks to fill this critical knowledge gap.

The primary objective of this trial is to determine if accelerated flap coverage (within 72 hours of injury) compared to standard flap coverage timing leads lower rates of infection and infection-related complications. The trial population includes patients 18 years and older with an acute open fracture and/or dislocation below the knee, with a diagnosed need for acute soft tissue coverage with a flap. Patients who undergo primary amputation prior to attempted flap coverage will be excluded. There will be 356 participants randomized in 1:1 ratio to receive either accelerated flap coverage (goal of flap within 72 hours from injury) or flap coverage at the time that reflects the standard of care at each institution. The timing of the trial interventions, other adjunctive treatments, the fracture fixation, and flap coverage procedures will be documented for both treatment groups. Management of the fracture or dislocation, selection of flap, and post-injury flap management will be at the discretion of the operating surgeons and documented for both treatment groups. Participants will have follow-up at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months post-randomization.

The primary outcome will be a composite outcome to evaluate clinical status 6 months after randomization. Components of the composite outcome will be hierarchically assessed in the following order: 1) all-cause mortality, 2) amputation related to injury, 3) re-operation for infection and/or flap complication (flap compromise, partial and/or complete flap failure), and 4) days in hospital, defined as days in an acute in-patient hospital (i.e., not rehab or nursing facility). The secondary outcomes will independently assess the individual components of the primary outcome at 6 and 12 months, the composite outcome at 12 months, and health-related quality of life and patient satisfaction over 6 and 12 months. An Adjudication Committee will review primary and secondary endpoints and a Data Safety Monitoring Committee (DSMC) will review all safety events.

Being tested
Accelerated Flap Coverage Surgery, Standard of Care Flap Timing
Keywords
flap reconstruction, flap timing, limb salvage, open fracture, open dislocation
Medical subject headings
Leg Injuries, Fractures, Open

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Accelerated Flap Coverage SurgeryProcedure or surgery

    Activation of the accelerated flap pathway with a goal flap time of <72h from injury

  • Standard of Care Flap TimingProcedure or surgery

    Flap timing at the standard of care timing for the clinical site

Study groups in NCT07828613
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Accelerated Flap CoverageExperimentalAccelerated flap surgery timing at a goal of within 72 hours from injury. Management of the fracture or dislocation, selection of flap, and post-injury flap management will be at the discretion of the operating surgeons and documented for both treatment groups.
Receives: Procedure: Accelerated Flap Coverage Surgery
Standard of Care Flap TimingActive comparatorThe flap surgery will be performed at the standard of care timing for the institution. Management of the fracture or dislocation, selection of flap, and post-injury flap management will be at the discretion of the operating surgeons and documented for both treatment groups.
Receives: Procedure: Standard of Care Flap Timing

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Clinical Status

    Clinical status is a hierarchical composite of the following outcomes: 1) All-cause mortality, 2) Amputation related to injury, 3) Re-operation for infection and/or flap complication (flap compromise, partial and/or complete flap failure), and 4) Days in hospital, defined as days in an acute in-patient hospital (i.e., not rehab or nursing facility)

    Measured: 6 months

Secondary outcomes (7)
  1. Mortality

    All-cause mortality. Mortality will be time-to-event, with the assumption that earlier is worse than later.

    Measured: 6 and 12 months

  2. Amputation

    Amputation related to injury. Amputation will be time-to-event, with the assumption that earlier is worse than later.

    Measured: 6 and 12 months

  3. Unplanned re-operation

    Unplanned re-operation for infection and/or flap complication (flap compromise, partial and/or complete flap failure). Re-operation for infection and flap complication will account for more than one operation, with the assumption that more is worse than less.

    Measured: 6 and 12 months

  4. Number of days in hospital

    Days in an acute in-patient hospital (i.e., not rehab or nursing facility)

    Measured: 6 and 12 months

  5. Patient-reported health status as assessed by the Euro-QoL (EQ-5D-5L)

    Patient-reported health status as assessed by the EQ-5D-5L. The EQ-5D-5L is scored on a 0 to 100 mm scale. 0 mm represents "the worst health you can imagine to 100 mm which represents "the best health you can imagine."

    Measured: 6 and 12 months

  6. Quality of life as assessed by the Limb-Q

    Health-related quality of life and patient satisfaction measured with the Limb-Q. The Limb-Q is a set of independently functioning scales. All scales are scored 0-100 (higher = better). The Limb-Q Appearance, Physical, Symptoms, Financial Impact, Life Impact, and Psychological scales will be used.

    Measured: 6 and 12 months

  7. Clinical Status

    Clinical status is a hierarchical composite of the following outcomes: 1) All-cause mortality, 2) Amputation related to injury, 3) Re-operation for infection and/or flap complication (flap compromise, partial and/or complete flap failure), and 4) Days in hospital, defined as days in an acute in-patient hospital (i.e., not rehab or nursing facility)

    Measured: 12 months

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted18 Sep 2026
  2. Study start1 Jan 2027 (estimated)
  3. Primary completionJul 2030 (estimated)
  4. Study completionDec 2030 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
356 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07828613
Sponsor's protocol ID
IRB00525377
Other IDs
1UG3AR085896
Acronym
FLAP ATTACK
Status last verified
Sep 2026
First submitted
15 Sep 2026
Last updated
18 Sep 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Accelerated Flap Coverage Surgery in people with Open Tibia Fracture and Open Dislocation of Ankle, run by Johns Hopkins University at 31 sites in United States.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 16 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 18 Sep 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 31 sites in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

Contact Lily Mundy, MD ((410)706-2492, lmundy3@jhu.edu), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Clinical Status (time frame: 6 months). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 18 Sep 2026.

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