The care of pin sites with external fixation

Abstract

Two protocols for the operative technique and care of the pin-site with external fixation were compared prospectively. There was a total of 120 patients with 46 in group A and 74 in group B. Infection was defined as an episode of pain or inflammation at a pin site, accompanied by a discharge which was either positive on bacterial culture or responded to a course of antibiotics. Patients in group B had a lower proportion of infected pin sites (p = 0.003) and the time to the first episode of infection was longer (p < 0.001). The risk of pin-site infection is lower if attention is paid to avoiding thermal injury and local formation of haematoma during surgery and if after-care includes the use of an alcoholic antiseptic and occlusive pressure dressings.

Prevention of pin tract infection with iodine-supported titanium pins

“…In previous reports, superficial infection was seen in much higher percentages of patients at 16-74.1% [12][13][14]. In our patients, WBC was normal and CRP normalized 3 weeks after surgery.…”

Care of External Fixator Pin Sites

“…One additional study 7 was not included because pin-site comparison groups underwent different surgical techniques. Table 1 summarizes findings related to solutions, frequency of cleansing, dressings, and showering.…”

A One-wire Method for Anatomic Reduction of Tibial Fractures with Ilizarov Frame

“…Pin site infection was diagnosed according to the criteria proposed by Davies et al [5]. These criteria were: ''the pin site was painful, inflamed, and discharging with a either a positive culture or a response to antibiotics in the absence of a positive culture.'…”