Abstract | BACKGROUND: Traditional management of compound depressed skull fractures entails elevation and removal of all bone fragments with delayed cranioplasty. Bone fragment removal is intended to reduce the potential for infection. However, bone fragment removal often necessitates a second operation to repair the resultant calvarial defect. This study examines the postoperative infection rate when bone fragments are replaced primarily. METHODS: RESULTS: Of 52 patients with the diagnosis of compound depressed skull fracture treated at our university hospital over the past 5 years, 32 underwent elevation and repair within 72 hours. All patients except one received antibiotics during surgery and for at least 1.5 days after surgery. Follow-up averaged just over 22 months. In all 32 consecutive patients treated with debridement and elevation of compound depressed skull fractures with primary replacement of bone fragments within 72 hours of injury, there were no infectious sequelae. CONCLUSIONS:
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Authors | E L Wylen, B K Willis, A Nanda |
Journal | Surgical neurology
(Surg Neurol)
Vol. 51
Issue 4
Pg. 452-7
(Apr 1999)
ISSN: 0090-3019 [Print] United States |
PMID | 10199302
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Topics |
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Aged
- Child
- Craniocerebral Trauma
(complications)
- Craniotomy
(adverse effects, methods)
- Female
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Retrospective Studies
- Skull Fractures
(etiology, surgery)
- Surgical Wound Infection
(etiology)
- Treatment Outcome
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