Original Research
Pin Tract Infection During Limb Lengthening Following External Fixation
Am J Orthop. 2008 September;37(9):E150-E154
Author and Disclosure Information
Valentin Antoci, MD, PhD, Craig M. Ono, MD, Valentin Antoci, Jr., PhD, and Ellen M. Raney, MD
Dr. Antoci is Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery & Rehabilitation, Texas Tech University, Health Sciences Center, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, El Paso, Texas; and Orthopaedic Surgeon, Deming Orthopaedic
Services, Mimbres Memorial Hospital, Deming, New Mexico.
Dr. Ono is Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgeon, and Assistant Chief of Staff, Shriners Hospitals for Children, Honolulu, Hawaii.
Dr. Antoci, Jr., is Medical Student, Jefferson Medical School, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Dr. Raney is Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgeon, and Chief of Staff, Shriners Hospitals for Children, Honolulu, Hawaii.
We evaluated the incidence of pin-tract infection (PTI) during limb lengthening using external fixation in 88 patients and the effects of infection on final outcomes and incidence of additional procedures. The PTI rate was 96.6%. The rate of half-pin site infection was significantly (P<.05) higher in half-pin fixators (100%) than in hybrid fixators (78%). There was a significantly (P<.05) higher incidence of half-pin site infection (78%) than fine-wire site infection (33%). The rate of additional surgeries for treating PTI was higher for half-pin sites than for fine-wire sites. Three (3.4%) of the 88 cases led to chronic osteomyelitis. Careful insertion and a simple, well-defined, excellent pin-care protocol can minimize PTI.