title: Unblinded randomized control trial on prophylactic antibiotic use in gustilo II open tibia fractures at Kenyatta National Hospital, Kenya.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the difference in infection rate between 24h versus five days of prophylactic antibiotic use in management of Gustilo II open tibia fractures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Unblinded randomized control trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Accident and Emergency, orthopedic wards and outpatient clinics at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH).
  
  
  METHODS
  The study involved patients aged 18-80 years admitted through accident and emergency department with Gustilo II traumatic open tibia fractures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients were randomized into either 24hour or five day group and antibiotics started for 24hours or five days after surgical debridement. The wounds were exposed and scored using ASEPSIS wound scoring system for infection after 48h, 5days and at 14days.
  
  
  METHODS
  The main outcomes of interest were presence of infection at days 2, 5 and 14 and effect of duration to antibiotic administration on infection rate.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no significant difference in infection rates between 24-hour and 5-day groups with infection rates of 23% (9/40) vs. 19% (7/37) respectively (p=0.699). The infection rate was significantly associated with time lapsed before administration of antibiotics (p=0.004).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In the use of prophylactic antibiotics for the management of Gustilo II traumatic open tibia fractures, there is no difference in infection rate between 24hours and five days regimen but time to antibiotic administration correlates with infection rate. Antibiotic use for 24hours only has proven adequate prophylaxis against infection. This is underlined in our study which we hope shall inform practice in our setting. A larger, more appropriately controlled study would be useful.
authors: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Nairobi, Kenya. Electronic address: jondari59@gmail.com.
authors: Joshua Nyaribari
authors: JN
authors: Ondari
authors: Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Nairobi, Kenya.
authors: Moses Muia
authors: MM
authors: Masika
authors: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Nairobi, Kenya.
authors: Richard Bwana
authors: RB
authors: Ombachi
authors: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Nairobi, Kenya.
authors: John Ernest
authors: JE
authors: Ating'a
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis; D003646:Debridement / Q000379:methods*; D004635:Emergency Medicine / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005597:Fractures, Open / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D007630:Kenya; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: ASEPSIS wound scoring system; Gustiloclassification; Open tibia fractures; Prophylactic antibiotics