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.
Specialty: Infectious Diseases, Surgery, orthopedic, Surgery, general, Emergency Medicine
ICD-10: ,