Infection rate of percutaneous Kirschner wire fixation for distal radius fractures

To review the infection rate in 43 patients who underwent percutaneous Kirschner wire fixation for distal radius fractures.

Records of 13 men and 30 women aged 25 to 86 (mean, 49) years who underwent closed reduction and percutaneous Kirschner wire fixation for unstable distal radius fractures were reviewed. Each fracture was fixed with 2 to 3 wires of 1.6-mm diameter. Kirschner wires were left protruding through the skin for easy removal, with their ends bent outside the skin to prevent migration. Wounds were cleaned and dressed with gauze and a plaster-of-Paris cast was applied. The severity of the pin tract infection was graded according to the modified Oppenheim classification.

Nine (21%) of the patients developed pin tract infection (3 grade 1, 3 grade 2, 2 grade 3, and one grade 4). Three patients underwent early removal of the Kirschner wires at week 3.

The infection rate after percutaneous Kirschner wire fixation is unacceptable. Kirschner wires should be buried under the skin to decrease the infection rate.