Infection of tibia open fractures with and without provisional external fixation hospital de San José 2008-2009

Infección de fracturas tibiales abiertas con y sin fijación externa provisional hospital de San José 2008-2009

Infection associated to open tibia fractures is considered an important complication for it is directly related to prognosis an d functional results. Its incidence is unknown in our hospital and is mainly associated with the use of an external fixator. An observational prospective cohort study was conducted in patients older than 1a years of age admitted to the orthopedics and traumatology serv ice at the Hospital de San José with a diagnosis of open tibia fracture, between April S008 and April S009. Follow-up was carried out from admission to control visits. A total number of 71 cases were assessed with male predominance (84,7%) and car accident as trauma mechanism (78,8%). Total incidence of infection in the study population was 9,8% and the most frequently identified organism wa s 9taphillogoggus aureus in 77,1%. All affected patients had been managed with a provisional external fixation and most of them were categorized grade IIIA on the Custillo classification (3a,a%). The majority were grade II and III fractures. We conclude that all cases of infection were associated to external fixation, thus, it must be considered in the management of these patients.

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