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Modifying patient factors can lower post-ankle fracture infection risk
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In this study, Finnish researchers identified significant patient-related risk factors for deep surgical site infection after treatment for ankle fracture, such as diabetes, alcohol abuse, fracture dislocation and soft-tissue injury.
“Our study revealed several modifiable risk factors predisposing patients to the development of deep surgical site infection (SSI) following operative treatment of ankle fractures,” Mikko T. Ovaska, MD, and colleagues wrote in the study. “In the absence of a panacea for postoperative infections, we rely primarily on preventive measures, and therefore recognition of risk factors such as diabetes, smoking, alcohol abuse, and compromised soft tissues is important.”
The researchers found intraoperative difficulties, suboptimal timing of prophylactic antibiotics, fracture malreduction and wound complications were the most common surgery-related risk factors after ankle fracture treatment, according to the abstract.
After a multivariate analysis, Ovaska and colleagues found tobacco use and surgery time that exceeded 90 minutes were the independent risk factors most significantly associated with deep SSI and that applying a cast in the operating room was associated with reduced SSI rates.
Disclosure: The authors have no relevant financial disclosures. See the full study for a complete list of conflicts of interest.
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