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Strategies in Trauma and Limb Reconstruction

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Open Access 01-08-2015 | Original Article

Efficacy of 1 % silver sulphadiazine dressings in preventing infection of external fixation pin-tracks: a randomized study

Authors: Alfred O. Ogbemudia, Anirejuoritse Bafor, Ehimwenma J. Ogbemudia, Edwin Edomwonyi

Published in: Strategies in Trauma and Limb Reconstruction | Issue 2/2015

Abstract

Pin-track infection (PTI) is a common complication of external fixation. Antimicrobial dressings of the pin-site interface should reduce the severity and incidence of PTI. This study is aimed at determining the efficacy of 1 % silver sulphadiazine dressings in preventing PTI in external fixation. We compared the incidence of PTI between group A (dry sterile gauze dressing) and group B (1 % silver sulphadiazine impregnated gauze dressing). PTI was diagnosed when there was: (1) redness around any pin-site, (2) tenderness near a pin-site and (3) serous or purulent discharge from the pin-skin interface. With infection, swab was obtained for microscopy, culture and sensitivity. Pin-track infections were diagnosed in 22.5 and 4.1 % of patients in groups A and B, respectively. This difference was statistically significant. The commonest organism isolated from swabs was Staphyloccus aureus. In patients with external fixation, 1 % silver sulphadiazine lowered PTI. This further underlines the need for antimicrobial dressings of pin-sites. We recommend the use of 1 % silver sulphadiazine impregnated ribbon gauze for pin-site dressings.

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Title: Efficacy of 1 % silver sulphadiazine dressings in preventing infection of external fixation pin-tracks: a randomized study
Authors: Alfred O. Ogbemudia
Anirejuoritse Bafor
Ehimwenma J. Ogbemudia
Edwin Edomwonyi
Publication date: 01-08-2015
Publisher: Springer Milan
Published in: Strategies in Trauma and Limb Reconstruction / Issue 2/2015
Print ISSN: 1828-8936
Electronic ISSN: 1828-8928
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11751-015-0226-2

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