TITLE:
Effect of Gentamicin Addition to Normal Saline on Microbial Contamination and Early Wound Infection of Open Tibial Fractures
AUTHORS:
O. S. Oyagbesan, O. O. Adegbehingbe, Oluwadare Esan
KEYWORDS:
Wound Irrigation, Bacteria Colony Counts, Open Fractures, Wound Infection, Gustillo-Anderson Classification
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.11 No.7,
July
10,
2024
ABSTRACT: 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 ± 9600 cfu/ml and 22,456 ± 21,150 cfu/ml for NSF and NSG groups, respectively (p = 0.608). Post-irrigation, the BCC decreased to 8892 ± 4830 cfu/ml in the NSF group and 256 ± 341 cfu/ml in the NSG group (p