Prophylactic Antibiotic Coated Nail to Prevent Infection: A Clinical Trial
Wake Forest University Health Sciences
Summary
This prospective randomized clinical trial will compare outcomes between patients treated primarily with a prophylactic antibiotic coated nail and those treated with traditional standard of care intramedullary (IM) nailing.
Description
Despite significant treatment advances and protocols to prevent infection, severe open fractures of the lower extremity still have very high rates of deep infection. Infection in an active duty military population increases disability and decreases the likelihood of returning to duty. In addition, infection is one of the main factors associated with rehospitalization. Further, deep infections have not only resulted in increased disability after injury, infection is implicated as one of the main factors in late amputation. Among service members, only 20-25% with a severe open tibia fracture are…