Risk factors associated with infection in tibial open fractures.

BACKGROUND: The objective of the treatment of open fracture is to prevent infection, stabilize the bones, and restore function. However, infection is the most important step in achieving the latter aims. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the current paper is to find risk factors associated with infection in a sample of tibial open fractures. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was carried out. The study included all patients who underwent to tibial open fracture treatment in the Hospital Geral Roberto Santos-HGRS, Salvador, Bahia, Brasil, from March to October, 2009. Patients under the age of eight, with multiple fractures or suffering from systemic or bone disease were excluded. Clinical and demographic data were collected and Patient outcomes were divided into two groups: Group 1 comprises those without infection whereas group 2 comprises those with lesions which became infected. The two groups were evaluated in search for associated factors that could lead to infection. RESULTS: We studied 50 patients. Our overall infection rate was 14 (28%; CI95%=15.5-40.5). Infection was significantly associated with place of trauma (OR 3.78; CI95%=1.4-5.5; p=0.02), and time delay superior to 24 hours (OR 3.4; CI95%=1.4-20.8; p=0.03). Fractures graded as Gustilo I, II and IIIA had a lower chance for infection compared to Gustilo IIIB and IIIC (OR 4.32; CI95%=1.3-19.1; p=0.01). Fractures graded Tscherne III and IV had a higher chance for infection, and it was the most significant isolated factor (OR 8.07; CI95%=2.4-47.1; pp<0.00). CONCLUSIONS: We confirmed the relationships between infection with Gustilo classification and as well as between infection and trauma from the countryside of Bahia State. We also presented a new relationship between soft tissue and infection, and another relating time delay of more than 12 hours with infection.

Introducción: El objetivo del tratamiento de las fracturas abiertas es prevenir las infecciones, estabilizar el hueso e restaurar la función. En relación a los objetivos mencionados, la prevención de infecciones tiene mayor destaque y es el punto mas importante a ser alcanzado. Objetivo: El objetivo de este trabajo es identificar los factores de riesgo asociados con la infección en un grupo de pacientes con fracturas abierta de la tibia. Paciente y métodos. Fue realizado un análisis retrospectivo con pacientes que tuvieron fractura abierta tibial que estaban en tratamiento en el Hospital Roberto Santos-Geral-HGRS, Salvador, Bahía, Brasil, de marzo a octubre de 2009. Fueron excluidos de este estudio todos los niños menores de 8 años con fracturas múltiples o que tenían alguna enfermedad sistémica o en los huesos. De acuerdo con los datos clínicos y demográficos, los pacientes fueron divididos en dos grupos: el grupo 1 estaba constituido por los que no tenían infección en las fracturas y el grupo 2 por los que tenían infección. En los dos grupos se investigo factores que podrían estar asociados a la infección. Resultados. De 50 pacientes estudiados la tasa de infección global fue de 14 (28%, IC95% = 15,5-40,5). El hecho de desenvolver infección fue asociado con el lugar del trauma (OR 3,78; IC 95% = 1,4-5,5, p = 0,02), y la demora en recibir tratamiento adecuado en tiempo superior a 24 horas (OR 3,4; IC95% 1.4-20.8 = p = 0,03). Las fracturas clasificadas como Gustilo I, II, IIIA tuvieron una menor chance de infección cuando comparadas como Gustilo IIIB y IIIC (OR 4.32; CI95%=1.3-19.1; p=0.01). Fracturas clasificadas como Tscherne III y IV tuvieron una mayor frecuencia de infección, lo que resulto ser el factor más importante e significativo (OR 8.07; CI95%=2.4-47.1; p p<0.00). Conclusión. En nuestros resultados observamos; una relación entre infección y la clasificación de Gustilo. También observamos asociación de infección cuando el trauma de los tejidos blandos es más grave (Tscherne III y IV), cuando hubo demora en el tratamiento adecuado (tiempo mayor de que 12 horas) y en pacientes que vivían en las zonas rurales del estado de Bahía.

Risk factors associated with infection in tibial open fractures. / Risk factors associated with infection in tibial open fractures.

BACKGROUND: The objective of the treatment of open fracture is to prevent infection, stabilize the bones, and restore function. However, infection is the most important step in achieving the latter aims. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the current paper is to find risk factors associated with infection in a sample of tibial open fractures. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was carried out. The study included all patients who underwent to tibial open fracture treatment in the Hospital Geral Roberto Santos-HGRS, Salvador, Bahia, Brasil, from March to October, 2009. Patients under the age of eight, with multiple fractures or suffering from systemic or bone disease were excluded. Clinical and demographic data were collected and Patient outcomes were divided into two groups: Group 1 comprises those without infection whereas group 2 comprises those with lesions which became infected. The two groups were evaluated in search for associated factors that could lead to infection. RESULTS: We studied 50 patients. Our overall infection rate was 14 (28

; CI95

=15.5-40.5). Infection was significantly associated with place of trauma (OR 3.78; CI95

=1.4-5.5; p=0.02), and time delay superior to 24 hours (OR 3.4; CI95

=1.4-20.8; p=0.03). Fractures graded as Gustilo I, II and IIIA had a lower chance for infection compared to Gustilo IIIB and IIIC (OR 4.32; CI95

=1.3-19.1; p=0.01). Fractures graded Tscherne III and IV had a higher chance for infection, and it was the most significant isolated factor (OR 8.07; CI95

=2.4-47.1; pp<0.00). CONCLUSIONS: We confirmed the relationships between infection with Gustilo classification and as well as between infection and trauma from the countryside of Bahia State. We also presented a new relationship between soft tissue and infection, and another relating time delay of more than 12 hours with infection.

Risk factors associated with infection in tibial open fractures / Risk factors associated with infection in tibial open fractures.

BACKGROUND: The objective of the treatment of open fracture is to prevent infection, stabilize the bones, and restore function. However, infection is the most important step in achieving the latter aims. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the current paper is to find risk factors associated with infection in a sample of tibial open fractures. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was carried out. The study included all patients who underwent to tibial open fracture treatment in the Hospital Geral Roberto Santos-HGRS, Salvador, Bahia, Brasil, from March to October, 2009. Patients under the age of eight, with multiple fractures or suffering from systemic or bone disease were excluded. Clinical and demographic data were collected and Patient outcomes were divided into two groups: Group 1 comprises those without infection whereas group 2 comprises those with lesions which became infected. The two groups were evaluated in search for associated factors that could lead to infection. RESULTS: We studied 50 patients. Our overall infection rate was 14 (28

=15.5-40.5). Infection was significantly associated with place of trauma (OR 3.78; CI95

=1.4-5.5; p=0.02), and time delay superior to 24 hours (OR 3.4; CI95

=1.4-20.8; p=0.03). Fractures graded as Gustilo I, II and IIIA had a lower chance for infection compared to Gustilo IIIB and IIIC (OR 4.32; CI95

=1.3-19.1; p=0.01). Fractures graded Tscherne III and IV had a higher chance for infection, and it was the most significant isolated factor (OR 8.07; CI95

=2.4-47.1; pp<0.00). CONCLUSIONS: We confirmed the relationships between infection with Gustilo classification and as well as between infection and trauma from the countryside of Bahia State. We also presented a new relationship between soft tissue and infection, and another relating time delay of more than 12 hours with infection.

Avascular necrosis of the femoral head in sickle cell disease patients.

BACKGROUND: Avascular necrosis of the femoral head (ANFH) has been described as a frequent outcome in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). The objective of the current report is to present the prevalence of ANFH in patients under the age of 21 suffering from SCD as well as discuss some possible associated risk factors. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A cross-sectional study was carried out in a group of 100 patients. Clinical, demographic variables and risk factors were investigated. Seventy-two patients had their data completely analyzed. Eight patients were found to be affected and comprise the study group while the other 64 patients comprised the comparison group. RESULTS: The prevalence of ANFH was 8 out of 72 (11.1%). Age (p=0.042), weight (p=0.04) and hemoglobin levels (0.048) were associated with ANFH. Correlations with time from diagnosis (p=0.14), ulcers (p=0.013), ferritin levels (p=0.07) and a family history of thrombosis were near-significant. CONCLUSIONS: The attention of physicians treating SCD patients must also be drawn to the possibility of ANFH in order to prevent or avoid this disastrous complication, especially in younger patients presenting with frequent hemolytic crises.