Incidence of infected open fracture wounds in level i trauma center in Saudi Arabia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61096/ijpar.v7.iss4.2018.505-509Keywords:
Open fractures, Wound cultures, Infected wounds, MRSAAbstract
Objectives
The aim of the study is to report the incidence of positive cultures among open fractures presented to King Abdulaziz Medical City (KAMC) level I trauma center.
Methods
This is a prospective cross sectional study, we are reporting the incidence of positive deep swabs by taking two swab cultures from inside open fracture wounds in emergency department and operation room, then sending the swabs to our microbiology lab for cultures.
Results
We were able to study 36 open fractures presented to (KAMC) in a 6-month period, complete swabs were taken from
19 wounds. Negative cultures were found in 18 open fracture wounds, only one wound had a positive culture for Methicillin- resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). We were able to follow the patients for short period; none of the 18 wounds got infected. The incidence rate of contaminated wounds was 5%. The internal fixation frequency was
17 cases out of 19. One case ended up with amputation, and we treated one case conservatively with cast after irrigation and debridement.
Conclusion
Open fracture wounds have high risk of infection. Among our subjects, the risk was reduced by following the standard protocols in managing open fractures promptly.
