The prevention of infection in open fractures: an experimental study of the effect of fracture stability.
An experimental model of a contaminated open fracture has been developed. This model has been used to test the hypothesis that stable fixation of a contaminated open fracture will reduce its susceptibility to infection. The tibiae of male New Zealand white rabbits were fractured and then fixed with either a dynamic compression plate (stable group) or a loose-fitting intramedullary rod (unstable group). The fracture site was then inoculated with a standard inoculum of Staphylococcus aureus. There were 20 rabbits in the stable group and osteomyelitis developed in seven (35 per cent); in the unstable group 15 (71 per cent) out of 21 animals developed osteomyelitis. This difference in infection rates was statistically significant (P < 0.02). This experimental study supports the concept of stabilization of open fractures in man.
Worlock
P
P
University Hospital, Nottingham, UK.
Slack
R
R
Harvey
L
L
Mawhinney
R
R
D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000379:methods*; D005594:Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary; D005597:Fractures, Open / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000517:prevention & control; D011817:Rabbits; D011859:Radiography; D013977:Tibia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D014946:Wound Infection / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*