title: Infection after fracture osteosynthesis - Part I.
abstract: Bone and surgical site infections after osteosynthesis are notoriously difficult to manage and pose a tremendous burden in fracture management. In this article, we use the term osteosynthesis-associated infection (OAI) to refer to this clinical entity. While relatively few surgically treated fractures become infected, it is challenging to perform a rapid diagnosis. Optimal management strategies are complex and highly customized to each scenario and take into consideration the status of fracture union, the presence of hardware and the degree of mechanical stability. At present, a high level of relevant evidence is unavailable; most findings presented in the literature are based on laboratory work and non-randomized clinical studies. We present this overview of OAI in two parts: an examination of recent literature concerning OAI pathogenesis, diagnosis and classification and a review of treatment options.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Queen Mary Hospital, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Queen Mary Hospital, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China.|3 Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Innovative Technology in Orthopaedic Trauma, University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China.
authors.forename: Tak-Man
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Queen Mary Hospital, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Tak-Wing
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Lau
authors.affiliation: 2 Department of Microbiology, Queen Mary Hospital, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Kelvin Kw
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: To
authors.affiliation: 2 Department of Microbiology, Queen Mary Hospital, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Samson Sy
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Queen Mary Hospital, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China.|3 Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Innovative Technology in Orthopaedic Trauma, University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China.
authors.forename: Frankie
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Leung
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001174:Arthrodesis / Q000379:methods*; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000601:surgery*; D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D012086:Reoperation; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents
keywords: biofilms; fracture fixation; prosthesis-related infections; surgical wound infection