title: Is antibiotic prophylaxis necessary for internal fixation of low-energy fractures?
abstract: A series of 54 patients who had low-energy, closed fractures requiring internal fixation were entered into a randomized prospective study comparing prophylactic antibiotics with no treatment. In five patients who did not have antibiotics a superficial wound infection or fever was recorded. In those who received antibiotics, no infection or fever was detected. However, there was no statistical difference between the two groups, and it is concluded that there is no need for prophylactic antibiotics when internally fixing low-energy fractures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Edinburgh, UK.
authors.forename: S P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Hughes
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Miles
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Littlejohn
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Brown
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002444:Cefuroxime / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal; D005596:Fractures, Closed / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011292:Premedication; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012606:Scotland; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D002444:Cefuroxime