Prophylactic use of antibiotic-coated intramedullary nails in the treatment of open fractures of the tibia: A clinical observational assessment

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of antibiotic-coated intramedullary locking nail in the open tibia fractures. Materials and Methods: It was a one-year clinical observational research at the Department of Orthopaedics, BIMS Medical college, Belagavi, which was conducted in a clinical setting. An interlocking tibia nail was used to treat 70 patients. Those with open fractures of the gustillo type 1, 2, and 3A, 3B were included in this research. There were excellent, good, fair and bad grades for RUST Scores and clinical evaluation scores. Result: Of the 70 patients, 44.28 percent belonged to 30-40 years age group, 28.57 percent were in the age group 40-50, and 20 percent were above 50. Males (72.86%) outnumbered females. The most prevalent cause of injury was a car collision, accounting for 55 (78.57%) of cases. 92.86 percent of patients had a femur fracture. Wounds healed in less than 6 weeks in 50% of patients, 6-8 weeks in 31.43%, 8-10 weeks in 10%. At six months, 40 patients (57.14%) had RUST score 9, 15 patients (21.43%) had RUSH score 11, and 6 patients (8.57%) had RUSH score 6. Out of 70 patients, 8 (11.14%) had great outcomes, 15 (21.43%) good, 41 (58.57%) fair, and only 6 (8.57%) had bad outcomes. Conclusion: Implant-related infection is a major stumbling block in the surgical treatment of tibia shaft fracture, according to the present study. Local administration of antibiotics might minimize the risk of infection.