Publication: The prevalence of infection following conversion of external fixation to internal fixation in open tibia fracture
Loading...
Date
2022
Authors
Ashri, Mohd Azhar Mohd
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Introduction External fixation is a method of temporary immobilisation of fracture after wound debridement in open tibia fracture before converting to internal fixation. However there is risk of infection following converting external fixation to internal fixation due to direct contact of bone with environment via pin site. We studied the prevalence of infection on patients that underwent conversion of external fixation to internal fixation and their related factors in three hospitals. Methodology All patients that fulfil the criteria of our study are reviewed retrospectively. The information are obtained from medical files that has been traced through record office. The result was analysed using Fisher’s Exact Test for gender and age, Chi-Square for grade and site of fracture, duration of external fixation, period of free fixator and types of internal fixation. All the statistic values are calculated using SPSS 26. Result There are total 61 patients that underwent conversion of external fixation to internal fixation in open tibia fracture with prevalence of infection is 16.39%. All the factors that might affect the infection rate such as gender, ages, grade and sites of fracture, types and duration of external fixation, period of free fixators and types of internal fixation showed insignificant value. Conclusion The prevalence of infection post conversion external fixation to internal fixation in our study was 16.39% and comparable to other literatures. The factors that might lead to infection such as site and types of fracture, types of internal fixation, duration of external fixation and period of free external fixator were insignificant. All the hospitals had followed same protocol in managing open tibia fracture and the most important factor in preventing or reducing risk of infection were prophylactic antibiotic, adequate wound debridement and to avoid pin site infection. It is safe to convert external fixation to internal fixation if it is planned properly.
Description
Keywords
Infection , open fracture