Pin-tract infection during limb lengthening using external fixation

Am J Orthop (Belle Mead NJ). 2008 Sep;37(9):E150-4.

Abstract

We evaluated the incidence of pin-tract infection (PTI) during limb lengthening using external fixation in 88 patients and the effects of infection on final outcomes and incidence of additional procedures. The PTI rate was 96.6%. The rate of half-pin site infection was significantly (P<.05) higher in half-pin fixators (100%) than in hybrid fixators (78%). There was a significantly (P<.05) higher incidence of half-pin site infection (78%) than fine-wire site infection (33%). The rate of additional surgeries for treating PTI was higher for half-pin sites than for fine-wire sites. Three (3.4%) of the 88 cases led to chronic osteomyelitis. Careful insertion and a simple, well-defined, excellent pin-care protocol can minimize PTI.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Age Distribution
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Bone Lengthening / adverse effects*
  • Bone Lengthening / methods
  • Bone Nails / adverse effects*
  • Bone Wires / adverse effects
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cohort Studies
  • External Fixators / adverse effects*
  • Female
  • Femur / surgery
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Male
  • Osteogenesis, Distraction / adverse effects
  • Osteogenesis, Distraction / methods
  • Probability
  • Reoperation / statistics & numerical data
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Assessment
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Sex Distribution
  • Surgical Wound Infection / epidemiology
  • Surgical Wound Infection / etiology*
  • Surgical Wound Infection / surgery
  • Tibia / surgery
  • Young Adult