The correlation of clinical parameters and infection in delayed internal fixation of open fracture of the femur

Chalermpon Osothpromma, Resident, D. of Orthopaedic Surgery and Physical Medicine, F. of Medicine, PSU.
Niran Kietsiriroje, Assoc., Prof., D. of Orthopaedic Surgery and Physical Medicine, F. of Medicine, PSU.
Corresponding e-mail : Ochalerm@ratree.psu.ac.th

Presented : The 16th Annual Academic Meeting, Faculty of Medicine, PSU., Hat Yai, Songkhla, 16-18 August 2000
Key words : preoperative wound condition, body temperature, white blood count, delayed internal fixation open fracture of the femur, infection

An analytical study was done from the medical records of 23 patients who had been operated by delayed internal fixation for open fracture of the femur in Songklanagarind Hospital from 1 January 1996 - 31 December 1998. The objective of the study was to find the correlation of clinical parameters (wound condition, body temperature below 37.8^oC, white blood count below 11,000/mm3) with infection rate in this condition. Most of the patients were grouped into type 2 and 3A (Gustilo) mean follow up time was 6.7 months. The study revealed that the infection rate was 21.74%. Mean interval after operation was 4 weeks. Wound condition had the highest correlation with infection. (sensitivity = 60%, specificity = 83%) Wound condition combined with body temperature had sen- sitivity = 80% and specificity = 83%. In the patients whose clinical parameters were fulfil in 3 parameters, the probability of infection is 20%.

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