INFECTION IN THE PRESENCE OF SKELETAL FIXATION IN THE UPPER EXTREMITY

Infection is infrequent after open fractures of the upper extremity. T reatment begins with prevention through the appropriate use of prophyl actic antibiotics, adequate wound debridement, and timely soft-tissue coverage. If infection supervenes, the surgeon must identify the respo nsible bacteria and administer antibiotics accordingly. Stable fixatio n is retained. Unstable fixation is removed and skeletal stability res tored. Using these principles, infection in the presence of skeletal f ixation can be controlled and fracture union achieved.