Chronic osteomyelitis in pin tracks.
We reviewed the cases of fourteen patients with chronic osteomyelitis involving a pin track (twelve tibial, one ulnar, and one radial) after either external fixation (thirteen patients) or skeletal traction (one patient). In general, the involved pins had been inserted into cortical bone; in no patient was the pintrack infection in cancellous bone. Treatment consisting of débridement, curettage, open packing, and administration of antibiotics successfully eradicated seven of the eight Staphylococcus aureus infections but failed to cure four of the six gram-negative-rod infections. Repeat curettage with delayed fresh autogenous cancellous bone-grafting was successful in treating the more resistant infections.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D001858:Bone Nails / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016025:Bone Transplantation; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003475:Curettage; D003646:Debridement; D005260:Female; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000009:adverse effects; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D014143:Traction / Q000009:adverse effects
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents