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INFECTION RATE OF EXTERNAL FIXATION FRACTURES

Ahmed Mohammed Alzahrani *, Abdullah Mohammed Alassiri , Abdulaziz Mazyad Alghonaim , Mohammed Mousa Alghamdi, Bandar Abdulaziz Almadhi , Zyad Musaad Alsulaiman , Ahmad Sultan Shaheen, Ahmed Ali Alghafis , Salah Ghazi Almatrafi , Mohammed Abdullah Alzahrani , Alhanouf Adel Hadi Hakami

External fixation is a commonly used technique of bone fixation among orthopaedic surgeons after major trauma. It has many advantages such as minimal vascular compromise, minimal soft tissue damage, and fixation away from the site of facture. However, infection at pin site remains a considerable complication that may result in pin site loosening, poor healing of wound and/or fractures, osteomyelitis, and subsequently fixation failure. To date, there is no definite cure for pin site infection, and the use of systemic antibiotics was not beneficial because it does not penetrate to the pin infection site. Thus, early identification of signs of infection, infection risk factors, and prevention strategies is fundamental to reduce the infection rate. This article aims at reviewing and discussing the infection rate and the risk factors for pin site infection following external fixation of bone fractures. Keywords: External fixation, fixation, infection rate, risk factors.

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