MRSA (Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus) osteomyelitis : Factors and results compared to non MRSA osteomyelitis

Boonsin Buranapanitkit, Asst. Prof., D. of Orthopaedic Surgery and Physical Medicine, F. of Medicine, PSU.
Suntorn Wongsiri, D. of Orthopaedic Surgery and Physical Medicine, F. of Medicine, PSU.
Corresponding e-mail : bboonsin@ratree.psu.ac.th

Published : The J of The Orthop ASS 2000, 13(1) : 53-56
Key words : factor, result, MRSA organism

MRSA (Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus) osteotomyelitis is a disabling disease. We retrospectively reviewed factors and results of 12 cases of MRSA osteomyelitis compared to 34 non MRSA osteomyelitis. Factors such as age, underlying disease, previous internal fixation, site and type (Cierny-Mader classification) were not significantly different between the two groups, but there was a predominance of males over females in the MRSA group. Laboratory investigations showed no differences in hematocrit, white blood cell count and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Polyorganism was more common in MRSA osteomyelitis. Results were less satisfactory in the MRSA group because of significantly higher rates of hospitalization, length of stay, number of surgeries and healing time. Amputation, sepsis and mortality rates were not significantly different because of the small number of patients between the groups. In conclusion, we have shown that factors associated with developing MRSA osteomyelitis are trauma cause, previous internal fixation and femoral loca-tion. The results of treatment of MRSA osteomyelitis were less satisfactory than those of non MRSA group.

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