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Risk Factors of Suedkamp et al for Osteomyelitis Following Open Fracture

Description

Suedkamp et al identified risk factors associated with osteomyelitis following open fracture of an extremity. The presence of these risk factors can help identify patients who may require more aggressive therapy and closer monitoring. The authors are from the Freie Universitat Berlin, Universitatsklinikum Rudolf Virchow (Berlin) and the University of Hannover in Germany.


 

Soft tissue injury:

(1) extensive skin damage

(2) deep soft tissue injury

(3) remaining soft tissue defect

 

Bone injury:

(1) bone loss

(2) fracture type (complex fractures greater than wedge fracture; wedge fracture greater than simple fracture)

 

Concomitant injuries:

(1) vascular injury with limb ischemia

(2) compartment syndrome

 

Contamination:

(1) gross contamination (farm accident, etc.)

(2) evidence of bacteria in a smear prepared at initial treatment

(3) positive culture after debridement (occurrence of soft tissue infection)

 

The more risk factors that are present, the greater the risk of developing osteomyelitis.

 


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