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Risk factors for surgical site infection following operative ankle fracture fixation
E G Kelly1, J P Cashman, P J Groarke
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, AMNCH, Dublin, Tallaght, 24, Ireland. endagkelly@gmail.com
Background:
Ankle fracture is a common injury and there is an increasingly greater emphasis on operative fixation.
Aim:
The purpose of the study was to determine the complication rate in this cohort of patients and, in doing so, determine risk factors which predispose to surgical site infection.
Methods:
A prospective cohort study was performed at a tertiary referral trauma center examining risk factors for surgical site infection in operatively treated ankle fractures.
Results:
Univariate and multivariate analysis was performed. Female gender and advancing age were determined to be the risk factors in univariate analysis. Drain usage and peri-operative pyrexia were found to be significant for infection in multivariate analysis.
Conclusion:
This study allows surgeons to identify those at increased risk of infection and counsel them appropriately. It also allows for a high level of vigilance with regard to soft tissue handling intra-operatively in this higher risk group.
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