%0 Journal Article
%T Effect of Gentamicin Addition to Normal Saline on Microbial Contamination and Early Wound Infection of Open Tibial Fractures
%A O. S. Oyagbesan
%A O. O. Adegbehingbe
%A Oluwadare Esan
%J Open Access Library Journal
%V 11
%N 7
%P 1-11
%@ 2333-9721
%D 2024
%I Open Access Library
%R 10.4236/oalib.1111686
%X Background: Infections continue to pose a significant challenge in the management of open tibia fractures, and the role of antibiotics in irrigation fluid remains unclear. Objectives: This study aimed to compare the pre- and post-irrigation bacteria colony counts of open tibia fractures in two irrigation groups: Normal Saline Fluid (NSF) and Normal Saline with Gentamicin (NSG). Patients and Methods: Fifty patients with Gustillo-Anderson I and II open tibia fractures were randomly assigned to either the NSF or NSG group. Pre-irrigation wound swabs were taken before randomization. Post-irrigation samples were collected, and patients were monitored weekly using the SOUTH-AMPTON grading system for six weeks. Patients with clinical wound infection underwent wound culture. Results: Motor cycle injuries accounted for 56% of patients, with a modal age of 20 - 40 years and 75% male. Before irrigation debridement, the bacteria colony counts (BCC) were 20,056 ¡À 9600 cfu/ml and 22,456 ¡À 21,150 cfu/ml for NSF and NSG groups, respectively (p = 0.608). Post-irrigation, the BCC decreased to 8892 ¡À 4830 cfu/ml in the NSF group and 256 ¡À 341 cfu/ml in the NSG group (p £¼ 0.0001). Seven (28%) NSF patients developed wound infection, primarily with staphylococcus, while none of the NSG patients were infected. Conclusion: Irrigation of open tibia fractures with normal saline impregnated with gentamicin fluid appears to reduce bacterial count load and early wound infection.
%K Wound Irrigation
%K Bacteria Colony Counts
%K Open Fractures
%K Wound Infection
%K Gustillo-Anderson Classification
%U http://www.oalib.com/paper/6825677