Arthroscopic debridement of external fixator pin tracts

Major external fixator pin tract infection can be managed by curettage, overdrilling or excision of the pin tract. An alternative is arthroscopic debridement which allows thorough curettage with the advantage of direct inspection of the pin tract to ensure clearance of all necrotic tissue from the tract base and walls. To date, arthroscopic pin tract debridement has been used successfully to manage 25 pin tracts in six patients. Adequate visualization of the pin tract throughout its course was possible in all cases. Two patients subsequently underwent intramedullary nailing without complication. No recurrent infection has occurred at review at 13 months.