Abstract
Background: Pin tract infection is a complication when using external fixation. The objective of this study was to estimate the incidence, rate and risk factors for pin tract infections after external fixation in the orthopedics wards in a major teaching hospital in Togo (West Africa). Methods: A one year prospective cohort study was conducted at the Tokoin Teaching Hospital in Lome. All trauma patients treated by external fixation during this period were included in the study. There were 50 patients with 52 fractures who underwent external fixation. Their mean age was 33.9 years. The number of pins used was 257. Patients were interviewed and daily observed during their hospitalisation. Surveillance was continued if the patients were discharged before the removal of the external fixator. Care of the pin site was performed in accordance with a standard protocol for all patients. The scoring system for pin-tract infection described by Checketts was applied to each pin site with the same assessor scoring all pins. To estimate the risk factors of the pin tract infection, statistical analyses were performed. The level of statistical significance was set at p
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