EFFICACY OF CEFTRIAXONE VERSUS CEFAZOLIN IN THE PROPHYLACTIC MANAGEMENT OF EXTRAARTICULAR CORTICAL VIOLATION OF BONE DUE TO LOW-VELOCITY GUNSHOT WOUNDS

One hundred patients sustained gunshot wounds involving bone but not j oint with a low-velocity bullet. Soft-tissue involvement was less than 1 cm at its greatest diameter. All patients were free from artery or nerve damage. No formal fixation of fracture was required. The results of the study suggest that patients need not be hospitalized longer th an 2 days after an extra-articular, low-velocity gunshot wound that vi olates the cortex. In addition, through the use of long half-life anti biotics, such as ceftriaxone, the length of hospitalization may furthe r be reduced to a day, while the potential for morbidity from infectio n is not increased.