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Pin Tract Infections in Pediatric Open Long Bone Fractures: Common but Clinically Manageable
Britta Chocholka1,2, Lara Marie Bogensperger1,2, Vanessa Groß1,2
1University Clinic of Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery, Department of Trauma Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
Journal of Clinical Medicine
|January 28, 2026
Summary
Pin tract infections (PTIs) are common in pediatric open long bone fractures treated with external fixation. Most PTIs are superficial and successfully managed with conservative care, leading to good fracture healing.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic surgery
- Pediatric trauma care
- Infectious disease management
Background:
- Pin tract infections (PTIs) are a frequent complication of external fixation in pediatric patients.
- Limited data exists on pediatric-specific PTIs, especially for open long bone fractures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the frequency, severity, timing, management, and outcomes of PTIs in children and adolescents with open long bone fractures treated with external fixation.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective single-center study of patients under 18 years with open long bone fractures treated with external fixation (2002-2023).
- PTIs graded using the Checketts-Otterburn classification.
- Management strategies and time to bony consolidation were analyzed.
Main Results:
- 16 out of 40 patients developed PTIs, with most being mild.
- The median time to PTI onset was 49 days, often after initial antibiotic therapy.
- Conservative management was effective for mild PTIs; moderate/severe cases required antibiotics and sometimes hardware intervention. No osteomyelitis was observed.
Conclusions:
- Pin tract infections are common in pediatric open long bone fractures managed with external fixation.
- The majority of PTIs are superficial and manageable with conservative measures.
- All fractures achieved radiological consolidation, with reoperations primarily linked to trauma severity.
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