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Vancomycin powder aids in prevention of postoperative elbow infection
In patients with posttraumatic elbow stiffness following elbow release, local application of vancomycin powder may be useful in preventing postoperative infections, according to recent study findings.
Researchers performed a retrospective review of 272 patients who received either simple prophylaxis with standard intravenous antibiotics or vancomycin powder applied directly into the wound before closure along with standard intravenous prophylaxis. Primary outcome measures included the incidence of wound infection.
Six infections were found in the control group vs. none in the vancomycin group after a follow-up of at least 6 months (P = .0027). Additionally, the researchers found no adverse effects were documented following the direct use of vancomycin powder.
Disclosure: The authors have no relevant financial disclosures.