Open AccessBetadine-Soaked Alcohol Pad and Rigid Immobilization: An Inexpensive and Effective Method to Diminish Infections With Exposed Kirschner Wires in Hand Fractures
Author(s) -
Andrew J. Lovy,
Isaiah Levy,
Aakash Keswani,
Michael R. Hausman
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
plastic surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.398
H-Index - 21
eISSN - 2292-5511
pISSN - 2292-5503
DOI - 10.1177/2292550320925924
Subject(s) - medicine , surgery , complication , kirschner wire , fixation (population genetics) , internal fixation , population , environmental health
This study describes a novel method of pin care with a Betadine-soaked alcohol pad in conjunction with immobilization to reduce pin site complications in hand fractures treated with exposed Kirschner wires (K-wires). We conducted a retrospective review of all phalangeal and metacarpal fractures from 2010 to 2016 treated with K-wire fixation, a Betadine-soaked alcohol pad, and immobilization in a well-moulded plaster cast. A total of 155 patients with metacarpal or phalangeal fractures were identified, of which 149 were included with 164 fractures treated with 217 exposed K-wires. Overall complication rate was 6.1% (10/164), of which 3 fractures (1.8%) developed infections. Two infections occurred in patients with a history of organ transplantation. The most common complication was stiffness requiring closed manipulation under anesthesia (2.4%, 4/164), resulting in full range of motion in 3 of 4 patients. Exposed K-wires remain an effective method of hand fracture fixation associated with a low complication rate.