PO versus IV antibiotics for the Treatment of Infected Nonunion of Fractures After Fixation

Abstract

Fractures of bones are a common injury in civilians and in modern warfare. Most fractures are fixed with internal fixation to hold the fracture stable while the bone heals. Approximately 5-20% of severe fractures may not heal, and a significant cause of not healing is a deep infection. Research studies have not identified the best way to treat these infections associated with fractures that have not healed. The fractures will need repeated internal fixation and treatment with either antibiotics by mouth or via an IV. With this study, we hope to determine the best method to give antibiotics to patients with an infection after fixation of a fracture and the fracture needs revision fixation. Patients will be randomized (by a flip of the coin) to receive antibiotics by mouth or antibiotics in an IV. This research will hopefully decrease the complications and improved compliance of antibiotic administration. If antibiotic treatment is simplified by giving antibiotics by mouth with no worse outcomes, this will decrease the complications that a civilian or Soldier that has an infection complication will have. If this is successful, it could alter the way all infections after fixation of fractures that have not healed are treated and decrease the costs of treatment.

Document Details

Document Type
DoD Grant Award
Publication Date
Dec 28, 2022
Source ID
W81XWH2210635

Entities

People

  • William Obremskey

Organizations

  • United States Army
  • Vanderbilt University

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Medicine

Readers

  • Materials Science (Mechanical Engineering).
  • Trauma Surgery or Emergency Medicine.