title: Impact of Infection on Fracture Fixation.
abstract: Surgical site infection can be a devastating complication that results in significant morbidity in patients who undergo operative fixation of fractures. Reducing the rate of infection and wound complications in high-risk trauma patients by giving early effective antibiotics, improving soft tissue management, and using antiseptic techniques is a common topic of discussion. Despite heightened awareness, there has not been a significant reduction in surgical site infection over the past 40 years. Patients should be treated aggressively to eliminate or suppress the infection, heal the fracture if there is a nonunion, and maintain the function of the patient.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, 200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA. Electronic address: michael-willey@uiowa.edu.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Willey
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, 200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Karam
mesh_terms: D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017102:Fracture Healing; D005597:Fractures, Open / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*
keywords: Clinical outcomes; Fracture fixation; Musculoskeletal trauma; Surgical management of infection; Surgical site infection