Prevalence of pin-site infection: the comparison between silver sulfadiazine and dry dressing among open tibial fracture patients

Abstract

Objective: Pin-site infection is one of the most troublesome complications of external fixation. The present study aimed to compare the rate of pin-site infection following silver sulfadiazine with dry dressing.

Material and method: This was a prospective randomized controlled study among 30 clients that compared the outcome of pin dressing using silver sulfadiazine (study group = 15) with dry dressing (control = 15). All eligible subjects of open tibial fracture had an emergency debridement with external fixation. Pin tract infection was considered to be present if superficial inflammation (erythema, cellulitis), serous or purulent discharge occurred around a pin site and deep infection of osteolysis around the pin, and sequestrum.

Results: Seven subjects (46.7%) had pin-site infection in the present study group while six subjects (40.0%) had it in the control group, with comparable severity.

Conclusion: There was no significant difference in prevalence of pin-site infection between both groups (p = 0.97). Therefore, either silver sulfadiazine or dry dressing could be advocated.