The use of prophylactic flucloxacillin in treatment of open fractures of the distal phalanx within an accident and emergency department: a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial.
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| Abstract |
Open fractures of the distal phalanx commonly present to the Accident and Emergency Department. Controversy surrounds the use of prophylactic antibiotics in treating this injury. A double-blind, prospective, randomized placebo-controlled study was undertaken comparing the use of prophylactic flucloxacillin to placebo in addition to meticulous wound toilet. One hundred and ninety-three adult patients with an open fracture of the distal phalanx were studied. Seven patients developed superficial infections, an overall infection rate of 4%. No patient developed osteitis or a deep wound infection. There were three cases of infection in the 98 patients (3%) in the antibiotic group and four cases of infection in the 95 patients (4%) in the placebo group. A difference of proportion test confirmed no significant difference. It is concluded that the addition of prophylactic flucloxacillin to thorough wound toilet and careful soft-tissue repair of open fracture of the distal phalanx confers no benefit.
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| Authors | J Stevenson, G McNaughton, J Riley |
| Journal | Journal of hand surgery (Edinburgh, Scotland) (J Hand Surg Br) Vol. 28 Issue 5 Pg. 388-94 (Oct 2003) ISSN: 0266-7681 [Print] Scotland |
| PMID | 12954243 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't) |
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