Children vs elderly in orthopedic surgery site of infection. Are there difference? Experience of a high volume plastic surgeon consultant.

Raffaele Franzese, Michele Conte, Nicola Gagliardo, Gorizio Pieretti

Abstract


Introduction: Prevention of surgical site infection in surgery and bone trauma has some hallmarks not shared with other surgical disciplines. The surgeon is not always able to open the pathogen and a key to correct therapy. The aim of our work is to verify if there are differences between pathogens, and treatment between the two groups most susceptible to skin infections by means of synthesis such as children and the elderly.

 Materials and Methods: From January 2011 to december 2018, we perform 3189 consultancies in various departments of orthopedics and traumatology. From the exclusion criteria we recruited 168 patients with superficial infection of the surgical site after orthopedic surgery. A group represented by children (under 12 years old) and a group of older people over 65. The evaluation criteria between the two groups were: the infectious bacterial flora; the type of antibiotic, the duration of antibiotic therapy; the type of medications used in the post-operative period, the complications.

Results:The results showed that elderly patients are more likely to be bacterial superinfection due to poor hygiene. Therapy in children is shorter and has minor complications. Proper management of the surgical site showed a rapid resolution of the infection in both groups.

 Conclusion: The correct management and hygiene of the surgical site allows its rapid recovery from infection. The plastic surgeon management of the fracture site infection can be a winning weapon in the treatment of this problem both in the child and in the elderly.


Keywords


Child; Granny; Skin; Infection; Orthopedic; Trauma.

Full Text: PDF

DOI: 10.5457/ams.v49i2.504