title: Risk factors for infection after operative fixation of Tibial plateau fractures.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Tibial plateau fractures are challenging to treat due to the high incidence of postoperative infections. Treating physicians should be aware of risk factors for postoperative infection in patients who undergo operative fixation.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective review was undertaken to identify all patients with tibial plateau fractures over a 10 year period (2003-2012) who underwent open reduction internal fixation. A total of 532 patients were identified who met the inclusion criteria. Several patient and clinical characteristics were recorded, and those variables with a significant association (p<0.05) with postoperative infection after a univariate analysis were further analyzed using a multivariate analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty-nine (11.1%) of the 532 patients developed a deep infection. The average length of follow-up for patients was 19.5 months. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was the most common species, and it was isolated in 26 (44.1%) patients. Open fractures, the presence of compartment syndrome, and a Schatzker type IV-VI were found to be independent risk factors for deep infection.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The rate of deep infection remains high after operative fixation of tibial plateau fractures. Patients with risk factors for infection should be counseled on the possibility of reoperation, and surgeons should consider MRSA prophylaxis in those patients who are at higher risk.
authors.affiliation: University of Alabama at Birmingham, Division of Orthopedic Surgery, United States.
authors.forename: Amit M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Momaya
authors.affiliation: University of Alabama at Birmingham, Division of Orthopedic Surgery, United States.
authors.forename: Jimmy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hlavacek
authors.affiliation: University of Alabama at Birmingham, Division of Orthopedic Surgery, United States.
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Etier
authors.affiliation: University of Alabama at Birmingham, Division of Orthopedic Surgery, United States.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Johannesmeyer
authors.affiliation: University of Alabama at Birmingham, Division of Orthopedic Surgery, United States.
authors.forename: Lasun O
authors.initials: LO
authors.lastname: Oladeji
authors.affiliation: University of Alabama at Birmingham, Division of Orthopedic Surgery, United States.
authors.forename: Thomas E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Niemeier
authors.affiliation: University of Alabama at Birmingham, Division of Orthopedic Surgery, United States.
authors.forename: Nicholas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Herrera
authors.affiliation: University of Alabama at Birmingham, Division of Orthopedic Surgery, United States. Electronic address: jlowe1069@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Jason A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Lowe
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005597:Fractures, Open / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D055624:Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012086:Reoperation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Complications; Infection; Internal fixation; Open reduction; Tibial plateau fracture