The infected fracture: can we agree on standard definitions?
expert_opinion · Level V
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- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 33937682.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1097/OI9.0000000000000057 and PMC identifier 8081488.
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Abstract
A precise definition of infection after fracture fixation is essential for the evaluation of published research data and for the future establishment of uniform treatment concepts. Recently, a multidisciplinary expert panel has developed a consensus definition that includes 4 confirmatory criteria for infection following fracture fixation. These criteria are: Fistula, sinus, or wound breakdown; purulent drainage or deep purulence at surgery; positive cultures from at least 2 separate deep tissue/implant specimens taken during an operative intervention; and microorganisms in deep tissue specimens confirmed by histopathological staining. The consensus panel also identified 6 categories of suggestive criteria which are features associated with infection that requires further investigation.