'Save The Haematoma': The utility of using the fracture hematoma as autograft during ORIF

Daniel Horwitz; Ahmed Nageeb; Tracy Watson; Peter V Giannoudis

doi:10.1016/j.injury.2026.113092

'Save The Haematoma': The utility of using the fracture hematoma as autograft during ORIF

Injury. 2026 Mar;57(3):113092. doi: 10.1016/j.injury.2026.113092. Epub 2026 Feb 9.

Authors

Daniel Horwitz¹, Ahmed Nageeb², Tracy Watson³, Peter V Giannoudis⁴

Affiliations

¹ Chief of Orthopaedic Trauma, Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, Pennsylvania, USA. Electronic address: dshorwitz@geisinger.edu.
² Fellow, Orthopaedic Trauma Service, Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, Pennsylvania, USA.
³ Chief of Orthopaedic Trauma, SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital, Missouri, USA.
⁴ Academic Department of Trauma & Orthopaedics, Leeds Teaching Hospitals, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom; NIHR Leeds Biomedical Research Center, Chapel Allerton Hospital, Leeds, United Kingdom.

PMID: 41719885
DOI: 10.1016/j.injury.2026.113092

Abstract

The utility of using the patient's native fracture hematoma as an autograft after performing open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) for fractures is highlighted. The fracture hematoma may be effectively used in closed fractures as a standalone autograft for filling in or around the fracture site, or used in combination with other structural autografts, allografts, or bioceramics to potentially enhance fracture healing. We advocate surgeons to support and consider in their practice the 'Save The Haematoma Campaig'.

Keywords: Fracture; Fracture healing; Haematoma; Osteoinduction.

Publication types

Editorial

MeSH terms

Autografts
Bone Transplantation* / methods
Female
Fracture Fixation, Internal* / methods
Fracture Healing / physiology
Hematoma* / surgery
Humans
Male
Open Fracture Reduction* / methods
Transplantation, Autologous
Treatment Outcome