Fracture-related Infection Research Articles

Role of bone single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography in managing chronic fracture-related infections: Determining the depth of infection and avoiding unnecessary bone procedures.

Fracture-related infections (FRIs) encompass a broad range of infections associated with bone fractures; they remain a significant clinical challenge. Here, we aimed to investigate the viability of focusing on soft-tissue management in patients suspected of chronic FRI, who exhibit no significant bony uptake on bone single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/computed tomography (CT) scans. Between January 2016 and January 2022, we managed 25 patients with chronic FRI or post-traumatic osteomyelitis using technetium 99m-methyl diphosphonate bone SPECT/CT to assess infection depth. Among them, 13 patients showing negligible bony uptake were included and categorized into two groups based on wound discharge reaching the bone/implant (Criteria 1, n = 6) or not (Criteria 2, n = 7). Patients in the Criteria 1 group were treated with antibiotics and soft tissue debridement without bony procedure. The average duration of antibiotic therapy was 6.7 weeks. Treatments were individualized, including implant changes, local flaps, skin grafts, and negative pressure wound therapy. No recurrence was reported in the mean follow-up of 21.3 months. Patients in the Criteria 2 group were treated with oral antibiotics (mean duration: 5.9 weeks) and daily wound dressings. No recurrence was reported in the mean follow-up of 26.0 months, and no surgical interventions were required. This study demonstrates the feasibility of focusing on soft-tissue management in patients with chronic FRI showing minimal bony uptake on bone SPECT/CT. Our treatment protocol avoided unnecessary surgical bone procedures, resulting in successful clinical outcomes with no recurrences.

Surgical treatment of fracture-related infection Part I: Bone and soft tissue debridement

La infección relacionada con fracturas (IRF) es una complicación grave en el tratamiento quirúrgico de lesiones óseas traumáticas y ocurre con mayor frecuencia en pacientes con este tipo de lesiones que en aquellos llevados a cirugía de reemplazo articular electiva. El tratamiento quirúrgico de la IRF se basa en el desbridamiento meticuloso del hueso y los tejidos blandos, el manejo del espacio muerto, la reconstrucción de los defectos de tejidos blandos y la restauración de la estabilidad ósea en los pacientes con fracturas no consolidadas. Además, en algunos casos, se recomienda el uso de terapia antibiótica local. En este sentido, el objetivo de este artículo fue revisar los conceptos actuales de las técnicas quirúrgicas disponibles para el tratamiento quirúrgico de la IRF, haciendo énfasis en el desbridamiento del hueso y los tejidos blandos.

In Vitro Elution of Gentamicin from CERAMENT® G Has an Antimicrobial Effect on Bacteria With Various Levels of Gentamicin Resistance Found in Fracture-related Infection.

Fracture-related infection is a serious complication after trauma. CERAMENT® G combines dead-space management with local release of gentamicin in a single-stage procedure. Bacterial resistance against antibiotics is increasing. The local effect of CERAMENT® G on bacteria resistant to systemically administered gentamicin is unknown. (1) What is the in vitro elution pattern of gentamicin from CERAMENT® G using a full washout model? (2) What is the in vitro antimicrobial activity (zone of inhibition) of CERAMENT® G against bacterial isolates found in fracture-related infection with different susceptibility levels toward gentamicin? Elution of gentamicin from CERAMENT® G was determined in vitro over a period of 2 months. Elution experiments were performed in fivefold, with gentamicin being sampled in threefold at 19 different timepoints within 2 months. Antimicrobial activity was determined using the four most-frequently cultured bacterial species found in fracture-related infection: Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter cloacae . For each of the species, four different isolates with a different susceptibility to gentamicin were used. According to the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing, the susceptibility of each isolate was classified into four different groups: fully susceptible (minimum inhibitory concentration 0.064 to 4 mg/L), minimally resistant (minimum inhibitory concentration 4 to 16 mg/L), moderately resistant (minimum inhibitory concentration 8 to 96 mg/L), and highly resistant (minimum inhibitory concentration 24 to 1024 mg/L), depending on each organism. The antimicrobial activity of CERAMENT® G was determined according to the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing disk protocol. The experiment was performed in fivefold for each isolate. The zone of inhibition was compared between each bacterial isolate and within each of the four separate species. Nonlinear regression statistics were calculated between the zone of interest and logarithmic minimum inhibitory concentration for each bacterial species. After 24 hours, 95% of all available gentamicin was eluted, and gentamicin was still detectable after 2 months. CERAMENT® G showed antimicrobial activity against all bacterial species; only S taphylococcus aureus (with a minimum inhibitory concentration > 1024 mg/L) was not susceptible. The zone of interest of the different bacterial isolates was correlated with the logarithmic minimum inhibitory concentration. CERAMENT® G offers a bone substitute capable of releasing high levels of gentamicin within a short period of time. This study shows that CERAMENT® G has antimicrobial activity against bacterial isolates that are resistant to gentamicin when systemically administered. This finding raises the question of whether European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing cutoff points for systemic application are useful for the use of local CERAMENT® G. Standardized experiments to determine local antibiotic antimicrobial activity in fracture-related infection treatment are needed to form guidelines for the use of local antibiotics and ultimately improve fracture-related infection treatment. Local concentrations of gentamicin with CERAMENT® G are much higher than when systemically administered. It seems effective against certain bacterial strains that are not affected by systemically reachable concentrations of gentamicin. CERAMENT® G might still be effective when bacteria that are resistant to systemically administered concentrations of gentamicin are occulated from patients with fracture-related infection.

Fracture related infection in open tibial fractures

Open tibia fractures frequently occur following high-energy trauma. Contamination of the fracture site combined with limited soft tissue coverage and blood supply means that these open fractures are associated with a high rate of complications, including fracture related infection (FRI). FRI is associated with lowered patient outcomes and requires early recognition and appropriate surgical and medical management.The current evidence on FRI after open tibial fractures largely is limited to case series, small retrospective cohort studies and expert opinion. Recent expert consensus has produced guidelines with the aim of standardising care for these patients. This review summarises the current management strategies employed in treating FRI following open tibial fractures and where possible the evidence behind them.

The Impact of Smoking on Hospital Course and Postoperative Outcomes in Patients With Fracture-Related Infections.

To assess the relationship between patient smoking status and fracture-related infection (FRI) characteristics including patient symptoms at FRI presentation, bacterial species of FRI, and rates of fracture union. Retrospective cohort study. Urban level 1 trauma center. All patients undergoing reoperation for FRI from January 2013 to April 2021 were identified through manual review of an institutional database. Data including patient demographics, fracture characteristics, infection presentation, and hospital course were collected through review of the electronic medical record. Patients were grouped based on current smoker versus nonsmoker status. Hospital course and postoperative outcomes of these groups were then compared. Risk factors of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection, Staphylococcus epidermidis infection, and sinus tract development were evaluated using multivariable logistic regression. A total of 301 patients, comprising 155 smokers (51%) and 146 nonsmokers (49%), undergoing FRI reoperation were included. Compared with nonsmokers, smokers were more likely male (69% vs. 56%, P = 0.024), were younger at the time of FRI reoperation (41.7 vs. 49.5 years, P < 0.001), and had lower mean body mass index (27.2 vs. 32.0, P < 0.001). Smokers also had lower prevalence of diabetes mellitus (13% vs. 25%, P = 0.008) and had higher Charlson Comorbidity Index 10-year estimated survival (93% vs. 81%, P < 0.001). Smokers had a lower proportion of S. epidermidis infections (11% vs. 20%, P = 0.037), higher risk of nonunion after index fracture surgery (74% vs. 61%, P = 0.018), and higher risk of sinus tracts at FRI presentation (38% vs. 23%, P = 0.004). On multivariable analysis, smoking was not found to be associated with increased odds of MRSA infection. Among patients who develop a FRI, smokers seemed to have better baseline health regarding age, body mass index, diabetes mellitus, and Charlson Comorbidity Index 10-year estimated survival compared with nonsmokers. Smoking status was not significantly associated with odds of MRSA infection. However, smoking status was associated with increased risk of sinus tract development and nonunion and lower rates of S. epidermidis infection at the time of FRI reoperation. Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Fracture-related infection in revision proximal femoral intramedullary nails

BackgroundThe proximal femoral nail is a commonly used fixation device for extra-capsular neck of femur fractures at our UK NHS Trust. Fracture-related infection (FRI) is a catastrophic complication that can be associated with internal fixation. FRI is often diagnosed late, and causes significant impact on the patient and healthcare system, leading to extended hospital stays, reduced quality of life, high healthcare costs and increased mortality and morbidity. AimThis study aims to evaluate whether failed proximal femoral nails treated at a major trauma centre in the United Kingdom are undergoing routine intraoperative microbiology sampling, as outlined by the FRI Consensus Group in 2020, and also to establish how often fracture-related infection is present in failed proximal femoral nails. MethodElectronic patient record systems were reviewed over a 4-year period between 2018–2022 to identify patients who had a proximal femoral nailing, and those who required revision surgery. From this cohort, we then identified whether sampling had taken place during revision surgery, and the number of samples taken. Results1041 proximal femoral nails were performed at our trust during the 4-year period. 60 of these implants failed, with 52 of these undergoing revision surgery at our hospital. Only 56% cases had intra-operative samples taken for microbiology testing, with an average of 9 samples sent per case. Intra-operative sampling confirmed infection in 25% of cases with samples sent. Of the cases requiring ≥ 3 operations, 75% of cases had confirmed infection. DiscussionThe data shows that more can be done to ensure earlier diagnosis of fracture-related infection in failed proximal femoral nails. We should have a high suspicion of FRI in this cohort of patients. This study highlights the importance of a standardised protocol to ensure routine intra-operative sampling during proximal femoral nail revision surgery.

Fracture-Related Infection-Epidemiology, Etiology, Diagnosis, Prevention, and Treatment.

Fracture-related infection (FRI) is a challenge to physicians and other workers in health care. In 2018, there were 7253 listed cases of FRI in Germany, corresponding to an incidence of 10.7 cases per 100 000 persons per year. This review is based on pertinent publications retrieved from a search in PubMed with the search terms "fracture," "infection," "guideline," and "consensus." Aside from the primary literature, international guidelines and consensus recommendations were evaluated as well. FRI arise mainly from bacterial contamination of the fracture site. Staphylococcus aureus is the most commonly detected pathogen. The treatment is based on surgery and antibiotics and should be agreed upon by an interdisciplinary team; it is often difficult because of biofilm formation. Treatment options include implant-preserving procedures and single-stage, two-stage, or multi-stage implant replacement. Treatment failure occurs in 10.3% to 21.4% of cases. The available evidence on the efficacy of various treatment approaches is derived mainly from retrospective cohort studies (level III evidence). Therefore, periprosthetic joint infections and FRI are often discussed together. FRI presents an increasing challenge. Preventive measures should be optimized, and the treatment should always be decided upon by an interdisciplinary team. Only low-level evidence is available to date to guide diagnostic and treatment decisions. High-quality studies are therefore needed to help us meet this challenge more effectively.

Ortho-plastic approaches to fracture related infection (FRI)

When a plastic surgery opinion is sought to support orthopaedic colleagues, invaluable contributions to decision-making in fracture-related infection (FRI) can be made. We summarise the plastic surgeon's perspective on the most pertinent questions which are relevant when assessing infections as a sequelae of fractures:1.) How to define the soft tissues involved.2.) Local & free tissue cover: options & outcomes.3.) What to do when flaps fail.4.) When simple dressings are an option.

IMPLANTS: DON'T LET THE BACTERIA GROW!

The Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 showed a 33.4% increase in fractures and a 65.3% increase in Years lived with disability (YLD) since 1990. Although the overall rate of fracture related infection (FRI) is low, it increases to 30% in complex fractures. In addition, the implantation of foreign materials, such as fracture stabilizing implants, decreases the number of bacteria needed to cause an infection. Then, when infections do occur, they are difficult to treat and often require multiple surgeries to heal. The bacteria can persist in the canaliculi of the bony tissue, in cells, in a biofilm on material or necrotic bone or in abscess communities. In the last decades, different approaches have been pursued to modify biomaterials as well as implant surface and to develop antimicrobial surfaces or local drug release strategies. This talk will give an introduction to the problem of bony and implant associated infections and presents the development and preclinical (as well as clinical) studies of two approaches for local drug delivery.

A population-based epidemiological and health economic analysis of fracture-related infection.

The aim of this study was to perform the first population-based description of the epidemiological and health economic burden of fracture-related infection (FRI). This is a retrospective cohort study of operatively managed orthopaedic trauma patients from 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2016, performed in Queensland, Australia. Record linkage was used to develop a person-centric, population-based dataset incorporating routinely collected administrative, clinical, and health economic information. The FRI group consisted of patients with International Classification of Disease 10th Revision diagnosis codes for deep infection associated with an implanted device within two years following surgery, while all others were deemed not infected. Demographic and clinical variables, as well as healthcare utilization costs, were compared. There were 111,402 patients operatively managed for orthopaedic trauma, with 2,775 of these (2.5%) complicated by FRI. The development of FRI had a statistically significant association with older age, male sex, residing in rural/remote areas, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander background, lower socioeconomic status, road traffic accident, work-related injuries, open fractures, anatomical region (lower limb, spine, pelvis), high injury severity, requiring soft-tissue coverage, and medical comorbidities (univariate analysis). Patients with FRI had an eight-times longer median inpatient length of stay (24 days vs 3 days), and a 2.8-times higher mean estimated inpatient hospitalization cost (AU$56,565 vs AU$19,773) compared with uninfected patients. The total estimated inpatient cost of the FRI cohort to the healthcare system was AU$156.9 million over the ten-year period. The results of this study advocate for improvements in trauma care and infection management, address social determinants of health, and highlight the upside potential to improve prevention and treatment strategies.

The Effect of Topical Antibiotic Powder Application in the Emergency Department on Deep Fracture-Related Infection in Type III Open Lower Extremity Fractures.

Despite advances in management, open fractures are at an elevated risk for deep fracture-related infection (FRI). Time to systemic antibiotic (ABX) administration and intraoperative topical administration of ABX powder have been used to decrease FRI risk. The purpose of this study was to determine whether topical application of antibiotic powder to type III open lower extremity fractures immediately on presentation to the emergency department (ED) reduces the rate of FRI. Prospective cohort compared with retrospective historical control. Level I trauma center. Application of 1 g of vancomycin and 1.2 g of tobramycin powder directly to open fracture wounds on presentation to the ED. Patients with type III open lower extremity fractures treated from July 1, 2019, to September 17, 2022, who received topical ABX powder in the ED were compared with patients from a 4-year historical cohort from July 1, 2015, to June 30, 2019, who were treated without topical ABX powder. Development of a FRI within 6 months of follow-up. Patient demographics, injury characteristics, and postoperative data were analyzed as risk factors for FRI. Sixty-six patients received topical ABX powder in the ED and were compared with 129 patients who were treated without topical ABX powder. The rate of FRI in the trial group was 6/66 (9.09%) versus 22/129 (17.05%) in the control cohort ( P = 0.133). Multivariate analysis demonstrated higher body mass index as a risk factor for development of FRI ( P = 0.036). No statistically significant difference in rates of FRI in open lower extremity fractures treated with immediate topical ABX administration in the ED versus standard-of-care treatment without topical ABX was found. These findings may have been limited by insufficient power. Further large-scale study is warranted to determine the significance of topical antibiotic powder application in the ED. Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Deep Surgical Site Infection after Fracture Has a Profound Effect on Functional Outcomes.

Fracture-related infection is one of the most challenging complications in orthopaedic trauma surgery. However, the effect of infection on functional and pain-related outcomes has not been well established. The aims of this study were to evaluate functional recovery for patients with fracture and a deep surgical site infection compared with patients with fracture without infection and to evaluate whether pain severity, social support, and preinjury mental health have a moderating effect on the magnitude and direction of the relationship between deep surgical site infection and functional recovery. This is a secondary retrospective cohort study using prospectively collected data from the VANCO trial (Local Antibiotic Therapy to Reduce Infection After Operative Treatment of Fractures at High Risk of Infection) and the OXYGEN (Supplemental Perioperative Oxygen to Reduce Surgical Site Infection After High Energy Fracture Surgery) trial. In this study, 2,116 patients with tibial plateau, pilon, or calcaneal fractures at high risk for infection were included. Patients were divided into cohorts of patients who experienced a deep surgical site infection and those who did not. The primary outcome measure was the functional outcome using the Veterans RAND 12-Item Health Survey (VR-12). After controlling for covariates, deep surgical site infection was independently associated with functional outcome, with a 3.3-point reduction in the VR-12 Physical Component Score, and pain severity was independently associated with functional outcome, with a 2.5-point reduction in the VR-12 Physical Component Score. Furthermore, the Brief Pain Inventory pain severity demonstrated an important moderating effect on the relationship between infection and functional outcome. In patients with lower pain scores, infection had a large negative impact on functional outcome, whereas, in patients with higher pain scores, infection had no significant impact on functional outcome. Furthermore, the functional outcome in the entire cohort remains at only 61% of baseline. This study documents the negative impact of postoperative infection on functional recovery after injury, as well as the novel finding of pain severity as an important moderating factor. This study emphasizes not only the importance of developing effective interventions designed to reduce postoperative infection, but also the role that factors that moderate pain severity plays in limiting recovery of physical function. Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Analysis of fracture-related infections from Swedish insurance claims between 2011 and 2021

Fracture-related infections (FRI) pose a serious complication with an incidence of 1–2%. This study aimed to analyze compensation claims submitted to The Swedish National Patient Insurance Company (LÖF) because of FRI after closed/open reduction and internal fixation (C/ORIF) in the four most common fracture sites (proximal humerus, distal radius, hip, ankle). Patients registered in the LÖF database with a suspected FRI between 2011 and 2021 were identified by matching International Classification of Diseases and procedural codes indicative of a combination of fractures to the proximal humerus, distal radius, hip and ankle, C/ORIF and infection. Medical records were reviewed for fracture sites, pathogens and complications. Data from the Swedish Fracture Register (SFR) were extracted to estimate the proportion of reported claims to the presumed number of FRI. Of 122 FRI identified in the LÖF database, 34 were after C/ORIF in the proximal humerus, 12 in the distal radius, 28 in the hip and 48 in the ankle. LÖF compensated 111 patients (91%). Median time from C/ORIF to an FRI was 3 weeks (interquartile range 2–6), and 95% of all FRI occurred within 1 year after C/ORIF. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common pathogen in patients with a distal radius, hip and ankle FRI. In contrast, Cutibacterium spp. were the most common aetiology in FRI of the proximal humerus. The total number of fractures treated with C/ORIF in the four fracture sites registered in the SFR during 2021 was 18,711. Most of the FRI patients were diagnosed within the first year after C/ORIF, and 91% of the patients received compensation. Given an expected FRI incidence of 1–2%, our estimates with extrapolated data from the SFR indicate that < 10% of affected patients applied for compensation.

Treatment experience with continuous local antibiotic perfusion for periprosthetic joint infection

BackgroundAntibiotic concentrations 100–1000 times higher than the minimum inhibitory concentration are necessary for eradicating biofilms in periprosthetic joint infections (PJI). Achieving this with intravenous antibiotics is challenging, but continuous local antibiotic perfusion (CLAP) can increase the local concentration of antibiotics. Although there are several reports on CLAP therapy in the fracture-related infection, there are only few reports on its application in PJI. Here, we report our experience with CLAP therapy for PJI. MethodsEight patients with PJI (two males and six females, with mean age of 73.5 years [±11.6]) were treated at our department, and their clinical characteristics were analyzed. The parameters considered were the classification of PJI, surgical procedure, duration of CLAP, duration of transvenous antibiotic administration, time of CRP-negative status, whether the infection resolved or recurred, and whether there were complications due to CLAP. ResultsInitial surgery included total knee arthroplasty in five cases, unicompartmental knee arthroplasty in one case, and total hip arthroplasty in two cases. There were four cases of early postoperative infection, two of acute delayed infection, and two of chronic delayed infection. The surgical procedures performed were two-stage revision for two patients, and debridement, antibiotics, and implant retention (DAIR) for the other six. The mean durations of CLAP and transvenous antibiotic administration were 8.5 (±2.4) and 22.4 days (±13.7), respectively, and the mean time to CRP-negative status was 23.3 days (±10.7). All eight patients successfully resolved without additional irrigation or debridement, and no recurrence was observed at the last follow-up after discontinuation of oral antibiotics. No systemic side effects of gentamicin or other complications associated with CLAP were observed. ConclusionAll patients achieved infection resolution with the combined use of CLAP. This suggests that CLAP is a useful treatment option for PJI.

Trauma

The December 2023 Trauma Roundup360 looks at: Distal femoral arthroplasty: medical risks under the spotlight; Quads repair: tunnels or anchors?; Complex trade-offs in treating severe tibial fractures: limb salvage versus primary amputation; Middle-sized posterior malleolus fractures – to fix?; Bone transport through induced membrane: a randomized controlled trial; Displaced geriatric femoral neck fractures; Risk factors for reoperation to promote union in 1,111 distal femur fractures; New versus old – reliability of the OTA/AO classification for trochanteric hip fractures; Risk factors for fracture-related infection after ankle fracture surgery.

Does topical vancomycin prevent fracture-related infections in closed fractures undergoing open reduction and internal fixation? A randomised controlled trial

PurposeThe role of topical vancomycin in fracture-related infection (FRI) is debatable. Very few studies have reported their efficacy in open and high-risk extremity fractures. This study aimed to assess topical vancomycin's role in reducing FRI in closed fractures undergoing open surgical intervention with an implant. MethodsThis prospective randomized cohort study was carried out between February 2021 to January 2022. Patients with isolated closed fractures, who were planned for open reduction and internal fixation within 2 weeks from the time of injury were included for this study. The data collected included age, gender, socioeconomic status, mechanism of injury, diagnosis, Tscherne classification, and time interval to take up for surgery. Patients were randomized into the intervention and control groups using the block randomization technique. The control group received only systemic antibiotic prophylaxis, whereas the intervention group received topical application of vancomycin powder in the surgical wound alongside systemic antibiotic prophylaxis. The primary outcome measure was the incidence of FRI among these individuals. Clinical and radiological findings and culture reports (in cases with infection) were recorded during the post-operative period and at 6 weeks of follow-up. All relevant statistical calculations were done using STATA statistical/data analysis-parallel edition version 16.0 (StataCorp LLC). The quantitative variables like age and duration of the surgery were assessed for normalcy by Shapiro-Wilk W test. An independent samples t-test with equal variances was applied to the age data. Fisher's exact test was used for the analysis of the primary outcome measure (presence of FRI following surgery), and “Risk of FRI” and “Risk difference” between the 2 groups was calculated. The strength of the association between qualitative variables was assessed using the Fisher's exact and Chi-square tests, respectively. ResultsThere were 88 patients included in this study. No statistical significance was found about FRI between both groups (p = 0.494). At 6 weeks following surgery, no incidence of infection was observed in the intervention group. Two infections (4.5%) were found in the control group, with positive cultures reported in one of them but none in the treatment group. Radiologically, 15.9% of patients in the control group showed lysis around the implant compared to 2.3% in the intervention group. Impaired fracture healing was observed in 22.7% of patients in the intervention group compared to 15.9% in the control group. ConclusionApplying topical vancomycin in closed fractures undergoing open reduction and internal fixation does not significantly reduce the incidence of FRI until the end of 6 weeks following surgery.

Suprapatellar intramedullary nail combined with screw fixation has comparable surgical outcomes to minimally invasive locking plate fixation in ipsilateral tibial plateau and shaft fractures.

To compare union rate, union time, alignment, and complication rate in ipsilateral tibia plateau and shaft fractures treated via suprapatellar intramedullary nailing with screw fixation and minimally invasive locking plate fixation. A retrospective study was conducted on 48 patients who underwent minimally invasive plate fixation (n = 35) or suprapatellar intramedullary nailing with screw fixation (n = 13), for the treatment of ipsilateral tibial plateau and shaft fractures with at least 1-year follow-up. Union rate, union time, radiologic alignment, and complication rate such as malalignment, nonunion, and fracture-related infection (FRI) were investigated. Demographic data were not different between the two groups. Coronal plane alignment was 0.17 ± 4.23 in the plate group and -0.48 ± 4.17 in the intramedullary nail group (p = 0.637). Sagittal plane alignment was -0.13 ± 5.20 in the plate group and -1.50 ± 4.01 in the suprapatellar intramedullary nail group (p = 0.313). Coronal and sagittal malalignment recorded equal results: (p > 0.99), FRI (p = 0.602), nonunion and union times recorded (p = 0.656) and (p = 0.683, 0.829), respectively, and showed no significant difference between the two groups. Suprapatellar intramedullary nailing with screw fixation had similar surgical outcomes with minimally invasive locking plate fixation in ipsilateral tibial plateau and shaft fractures in terms of union rate, union time, alignment, and complication rate. Thus, frequent use of intramedullary nailing combined with screw fixation is anticipated in patients with ipsilateral tibial plateau and shaft fractures when the soft tissue condition is not desirable. Level III.

The surgical management of fracture-related infection. Surgical strategy selection and the need for early surgical intervention

The aim of this narrative review is to describe the various surgical management strategies employed in fracture-related infection (FRI), to explore how they are selected and discuss the rationale for early surgical intervention. Surgical treatment options in patients with FRI include debridement, antibiotics and implant retention (DAIR), revision (exchange) or removal. In selecting a treatment strategy, a variety of factors need to be considered, including the condition of the bone, soft tissues, host and causative microorganism. Irrespective of the selected treatment strategy, prompt surgical intervention should be considered in order to confirm the diagnosis of an FRI, to identify the causative organism, remove necrotic or non-viable tissue that can serve as a nidus for ongoing infection, ensure a healthy soft tissue envelope and to prevent the vicious cycle of infection associated with skeletal and/or implant instability. Ultimately, the objective is to prevent the establishment of a persistent infection. Urgent surgery may be indicated in case of active, progressive disease with systemic deterioration, local progression of infection, deterioration of soft tissues, or progressive fracture instability. In case of static disease, the patient should be monitored closely and surgery can be performed on an elective basis, allowing adequate time for optimisation of the host through risk factor modification, optimisation of the soft tissues and careful planning of the surgery.

Fracture related infection (FRI) of the upper extremity correlates with poor bone and soft tissue healing.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the specific course and complication profile following the development of FRI in the upper extremity. An IRB-approved retrospective review was conducted on a consecutive series of operatively managed patients within an academic medical center between 1/2010 and 6/2022. Included patients met the following criteria: (1) upper extremity fracture definitively treated with internal fixation (2) development of criteria for suggestive or confirmatory FRI (as per the FRI Consensus Group) and (3) age ≥ 18years. Baseline demographics, medical history, injury information, infection characteristics, hospital quality measures, and outcomes were recorded. A 3:1 propensity-matched control cohort of patients without FRI was obtained using the same dataset. Univariable analysis was performed to compare the outcomes (rate of nonunion, time to bone healing, need for soft tissue coverage, patient reported joint stiffness at final follow-up) of the FRI vs Non-FRI cohorts. Of 2827 patients treated operatively for an upper extremity fracture, 43 (1.53%) met criteria for suggestive of confirmatory FRI. The successful propensity match (43 FRI, 129 Non-FRI) revealed no differences in demographics, baseline health status, or fracture location. FRI patients underwent more reoperations (p < 0.001), experienced an increased rate of removal of hardware (p < 0.001), and were admitted more frequently following index operation (p < 0.001). The FRI cohort had higher rates of fracture nonunion (p = 0.003), and a prolonged mean time to bone healing in months (8.37 ± 7.29 FRI vs. 4.14 ± 5.75 Non-FRI, p < 0.001). Additionally, the FRI cohort had a greater need for soft tissue coverage throughout their post-operative fracture treatment (p = 0.014). While there was no difference in eventual bone healing (p = 0.250), FRI patients experienced a higher incidence of affected joint stiffness at final follow-up (p < 0.001). Patients who develop an FRI of the upper extremity undergo more procedures and experience increased complications throughout their treatment, specifically increased joint stiffness. Despite this, ultimate outcome profiles are similar between patients who experience FRI and those who do not following operative repair of an upper extremity fracture. III.

A practical definition of pin site infection

Pin Site Infection (PSI) is the most common complication of external fixation treatment. Several classifications and diagnostic approaches have been used with reported incidences varying widely from 1 to 100 %. The quality of the existing literature is limited by the absence of a definition. This renders comparing literature and developing evidence-based algorithms for prevention, diagnostics, and treatment difficult to impossible. Similar problems were identified with prosthetic joint infection (PJI) and fracture-related infection (FRI) in recent years, resulting in new, validated definitions.PSI is complicated by the complexity of the issue. Numerous factors in PSI need consideration. Factors may be related to the patient, the surgical technique, the pin-bone interface, the pin-skin interface, the choice of external fixation device and/or the material used and its properties. Reliably diagnosing PSI is one of the most pressing issues.New definitions for FRI or PJI have diagnostic criteria which can be either confirmatory or suggestive. Any positive finding of a confirmatory criterion constitutes an infection. Although PSI resembles PJI and FRI, distinct differences are present. The skin is never closed, and bacterial colonization is inevitable along the treatment duration. The external fixator is only temporarily in place; thus, the goal of all measures is to continue the external fixator until the intended indication is reached.This paper proposes the principles of a definition of PSI. This definition is not designed to guide any treatment of PSI. Its purpose is to create common ground for clinical investigations and publishing further research.