Please login to view this media
- Talk
- 21/09/2022
- UK
Microbiology Profile of Fracture Related Infection (FRI): A 6-Year Series From a UK Major Trauma Centre and Bone Infection Tertiary Referral Unit
Description
In this presentation, Kavi Patel, an ST8 at the Royal London, shares insights from a six-year study examining the microbiology profile of fracture-related infections (FRI). The study seeks to assess the effectiveness of empirical antibiotic treatments and intra-focal choices in managing infections in a patient population affected by fractures. Patel outlines the significant burden of FRI, highlighting its incidence—1-2% in closed fractures and up to 30% in open fractures—and the associated healthcare challenges, including increased rates of non-union and treatment costs.
The retrospective analysis involved 320 adult patients and adhered to international guidelines for FRI diagnosis, focusing on causative organisms and antibiotic resistance patterns. The presentation reveals that most patients were men in their forties, with one-third sustaining open fractures. Notably, the tibia was identified as the most common site of infection, and the team isolated a diverse range of organisms, primarily Staphylococcus aureus, among a total of 411 isolates. The findings, which demonstrated a successful empirical antibiotic efficacy in 98% of cases, emphasize the importance of meticulous sampling and diagnostic processes, including the role of PCR testing and sonication of metalwork.
Patel concludes by outlining the implications of this research for other bone infection units, advocating for rigorous protocols in managing FRI to optimize patient outcomes.