External circular fixation: a comparison of infection rates between wires and conical half-pins with threads outside or inside the skin.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to evaluate if there is a difference in the rates of infection between Ilizarov wires and half-pins and between half-pins with threads outside and inside the skin in circular fixators modified by Catagni and Cattaneo.


METHODS
Between May and December 2004, 218 patients with circular Ilizarov fixators for various orthopaedic indications who visited our Ilizarov clinic were subjected to a one-time evaluation of half-pins and wires.


RESULTS
A total of 1,093 half-pins were checked and 34 (3.11%) of these were infected (50% with threads outside and 50% with threads inside the skin). Among a total number of 951 wires (1,092 pin tracts) checked, 45 (4.73%) were infected.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that the circular Ilizarov fixation with conical half-pins and wires has similar rate of infection compared with conventional Ilizarov circular fixator. Moreover, there is no difference in infection rates between pins with threads inside the skin as compared to those with threads outside the skin.
Catagni
Maurizio A
MA
Department of Orthopaedic and Ilizarov Unit, Alessandro Manzoni Hospital Lecco, Italy. maurizio@catagni.it
Ottaviani
Giulia
G
Combi
Alessandro
A
Elhence
Abhay
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis; D001858:Bone Nails / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001864:Bone Wires / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002648:Child; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology