Refractory Infection After Internal Fixation for Rib Fractures
Erji Gao1, Xufeng Zhang1, Min Han1
1Department of Thoracic Surgery, Putuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.
The Annals of Thoracic Surgery
|December 28, 2019
Summary
Hardware infection after rib fracture surgery is rare but severe. Complete removal of infected fixation devices and necrotic rib segments is crucial for resolving persistent infections.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Internal fixation devices are used for rib fracture repair.
- Infection of these devices is a rare but serious complication.
Observation:
- A patient with rib fracture hardware infection experienced persistent infection despite device removal.
- The infection resolved only after surgical debridement and removal of necrotic rib segments.
Findings:
- Standard hardware removal was insufficient to control refractory infection in this case.
- Surgical debridement of necrotic bone was necessary for infection resolution.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of considering bone necrosis in refractory hardware infections.
- Aggressive surgical management may be required for severe, persistent osteomyelitis of the ribs.
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