title: The effectiveness of physician-directed external fixation pin site care in preventing pin site infection in a high-risk patient population.
abstract: Pin tract infection is one of the most frequently reported complications associated with the use of external fixation. Application of compression dressings to prevent motion at the pin-skin interface as well as periodic antiseptic cleansing of the pin sites has been advocated; however, no consensus has been reached on the most effective method of pin site care. This retrospective study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of a weekly, physician-directed pin site care protocol on reducing the rate of pin tract infections in a high-risk patient population.
authors.affiliation: Limb Preservation Service, Vascular/Endovascular Surgery Service, Department of Surgery, Tacoma, Washington 98431, USA.
authors.forename: Monica H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Schweinberger
authors.forename: Thomas S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Roukis
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D001858:Bone Nails; D020878:Device Removal; D016267:External Fixators; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D016523:Foot Ulcer / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult