Identification of risk factors for surgical site infection after type II and type III tibial pilon fracture surgery.

BACKGROUND

High-energy tibial pilon fractures are complex and severe fractures that are associated with a high risk of infection following open reduction and internal fixation. Infection can negatively impact patient outcomes.

AIM

To compare risk factors for postoperative infection after open reduction and internal fixation for a pilon fracture.

METHODS

Among the 137 patients included, 67 developed a surgical site infection. Demographic, clinical, and surgical factors were compared between the two groups. A binary logistic regression analysis was used to determine the odds ratio (OR) and corresponding 95%CI for significant risk factors for postoperative infection.

RESULTS

The distribution of pathogenic bacteria among the 67 patients who developed a surgical site infection was as follows: Gram-positive, 58.2% ( = 39); Gram-negative, 38.8% ( = 26); and fungal, 2.9% ( = 2). The following factors were associated with postoperative infection ( < 0.05): a Ruedi-Allgower pilon fracture type III (OR = 2.034; 95%CI: 1.109-3.738); a type III surgical incision (OR = 1.840; 95%CI: 1.177-2.877); wound contamination (OR = 2.280; 95%CI: 1.378-3.772); and diabetes as a comorbidity (OR = 3.196; 95%CI: 1.209-8.450).

CONCLUSION

Infection prevention for patients with a Ruedi-Allgower fracture type III, surgical incision type III, wound contamination, and diabetes lowers the postoperative infection risk after surgical management of tibial pilon fractures.