Risk Factors of Lima et al for Infection of an Open Fracture Involving the Lower Extremity

Description

Lima et al evaluated risk factors for infection following an open fracture involving the lower extremity. This can help identify patients who may require more aggressive management and closer monitoring to prevent infection. The authors are fro the General Hospital of Sao Paulo University in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Parameters:

(1) ASA status

(2) volume of blood transfused prior to first surgery

(3) bone fractured

(4) surgical wound after initial debridement

(5) skeletal stabilization

Parameter	Finding	Points
ASA status	I or II	0
	III	1
volume of blood transfused	0 or 1 unit	0
	> 1 unit	1
bone fractured	other than the femur	0
	femur	1
surgical wound after initial debridement	closed	0
	open	1
type skeletal stabilization	external fixation	0
	internal fixation	1

where:

• Patients with ASA scores IV and V were not included. I will include them with III in the implementation.

total number of risk factors =

= SUM(points for all 5 parameters)

Interpretation:

• minimum number of risk factors: 0

• maximum number of risk factors: 5

• The risk of infection increases as the number of risk factors increase.

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Description

Specialty

ICD-10