title: Overview of concepts and treatments in open fractures.
abstract: Open fractures are one of the few lower extremity surgical emergencies. These injuries require immediate treatment. If untreated, severe cases of open fracture can be limb threatening. This article is a review of the literature of open fractures and the current treatment guidelines.
authors.affiliation: Covenant Medical Center, Waterloo, IA 50702, USA.
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Jedlicka
authors.forename: N Jake
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Summers
authors.forename: Mica M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Murdoch
mesh_terms: D000671:Amputation, Surgical; D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis; D003646:Debridement; D016267:External Fixators; D018460:Fractures, Comminuted / Q000601:surgery; D005597:Fractures, Open / Q000145:classification / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000293:injuries*; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology