The Effect of Topical Antibiotic Powder Application in the Emergency Department on Deep Fracture-Related Infection in Type III Open Lower Extremity Fractures

Abstract

Objective: Despite advances in management, open fractures are at an elevated risk for deep fracture-related infection (FRI). Time to systemic antibiotic (ABX) administration and intraoperative topical administration of ABX powder have been used to decrease FRI risk. The purpose of this study was to determine whether topical application of antibiotic powder to type III open lower extremity fractures immediately on presentation to the emergency department (ED) reduces the rate of FRI.

Design: Prospective cohort compared with retrospective historical control.

Setting: Level I trauma center.

Intervention: Application of 1 g of vancomycin and 1.2 g of tobramycin powder directly to open fracture wounds on presentation to the ED.

Patient selection criteria: Patients with type III open lower extremity fractures treated from July 1, 2019, to September 17, 2022, who received topical ABX powder in the ED were compared with patients from a 4-year historical cohort from July 1, 2015, to June 30, 2019, who were treated without topical ABX powder.

Outcome measures and comparisons: Development of a FRI within 6 months of follow-up. Patient demographics, injury characteristics, and postoperative data were analyzed as risk factors for FRI.

Results: Sixty-six patients received topical ABX powder in the ED and were compared with 129 patients who were treated without topical ABX powder. The rate of FRI in the trial group was 6/66 (9.09%) versus 22/129 (17.05%) in the control cohort ( P = 0.133). Multivariate analysis demonstrated higher body mass index as a risk factor for development of FRI ( P = 0.036).

Conclusion: No statistically significant difference in rates of FRI in open lower extremity fractures treated with immediate topical ABX administration in the ED versus standard-of-care treatment without topical ABX was found. These findings may have been limited by insufficient power. Further large-scale study is warranted to determine the significance of topical antibiotic powder application in the ED.

Level of evidence: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.