The Use of Qualitative Cultures for Detecting Infection in Open Tibial Fractures

Abstract

We read with interest the article by D'Souza et al. 1 We are concerned with a statement in the conclusion that "There is no correlation between the development of infection in open fractures with… the interval between injury and debridement." This may be due to a small sample size (a type-II error). There is evidence that early debridement significantly reduces the rate of infection in open fractures 2 and improves outcomes. 3-5 In our institutions, patients with open fractures receive primary debridement and stabilisation within 6 hours and this continues until there is sufficient evidence to the contrary.