Download PDF
Orthopedic Trauma Directions 2008; 6(6): 11-18
DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1100839
Clinical topic
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Open long-bone fractures

Early versus delayed debridement as a prognostic factor for infection
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
28 November 2008 (online)

    Permissions and Reprints

Summary

Limited data from three retrospective cohort studies suggests that there may be no significant association between time to debridement and rate of infection in open long-bone fractures. However, the studies included did not control for possible confounding factors that may bias study results, such as antibiotic use and fracture type. Methodologically rigorous studies which control for such factors should be conducted to confirm that adherence to the 6-hour debridement window does not appear to affect infection rates.