Management of open fractures in pediatric patients: current teaching in Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) accredited residency programs

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the method of treatment for open fractures in pediatric patients that is used and taught at academic orthopedic residency programs. A web-based survey was constructed and emailed to program directors of orthopedic residencies. Seventy programs out of a total of 140 surveyed programs responded. Data were tabulated and charts created in an Excel spreadsheet. Type I fractures were treated by most with a cephalosporin alone (97%) for less than 48 h (87%). Type II were treated by most programs with a cephalosporin alone with no aminoglycoside (84%) for less than 48 h (80%). Type IIIa were treated by most programs with a cephalosporin and an aminoglycoside (50%) for less than 48 h (60%). Type IIIb were treated by most programs with a cephalosporin and aminoglycoside (54%) for less than 48 h (53%). Type IIIc were also treated by most with a cephalosporin and an aminoglycoside (53%) for less than 48 h (51%). Wounds were closed by most responders for type I (90%), type II (86%) and type IIIa (50%) but not type IIIb (10%), and type IIIc (16%). For the programs responding to the pediatric section of the survey over half (53%) reported using a trauma room and 58% reported allowing residents to irrigate and debride wounds in the emergency room. In conclusion, for pediatric patients most orthopedic residencies use a cephalosporin alone for type I and type II open fractures with an aminoglycoside added for type III fractures. Treatment is typically for 48 h or less. Delay of 6 h seems to be accepted for type I and type II fractures but not type III fractures.