title: Factors influencing infection rate in open fracture wounds.
abstract: Seventy-seven infections in 1104 open fracture wounds were evaluated to identify those factors that predisposed to infection. Factors could be placed into three categories: (1) increased risk, (2) no effect, and (3) inconclusive. The single most important factor in reducing the infection rate was the early administration of antibiotics that provide antibacterial activity against both gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms. In this study, surgical debridement was performed on all open fracture wounds.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, University of Southern California School of Medicine, Los Angeles.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Patzakis
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wilkins
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal; D005597:Fractures, Open / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D012307:Risk Factors; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000150:complications; D014946:Wound Infection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents