SERUM-ALBUMIN AND DEEP INFECTION IN FEMORAL-NECK FRACTURES - A STUDY OF 437 CASES FOLLOWED FOR ONE-YEAR

Four hundred and thirty-seven patients with femoral neck fractures wer e studied to determine the value of serum albumin estimations on admis sion. Serum albumin is a good predictor of mortality, and patients wit h low levels should be given additional nutritional support. We found that the serum albumin level is not useful in predicting deep wound in fection. The infection rate of 3% does not justify the use of antibiot ic prophylaxis in general.