Citation

Herard P, Boillot F, Fakhri RM. Int. Orthop. 2017; 41(7): 1291-1294.

Affiliation

Médecins Sans Frontières, Amman, Jordan.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s00264-016-3382-1

PMID

28101586

Abstract

PURPOSE: Hidden infections in a reconstructive surgery program are frequently underestimated.

METHODS: A retrospective study was undertaken of 1,891 civilian war-wounded patients from Iraq, Syria, Yemen and Gaza treated in Amman from August 2006 to January 2016. One thousand three hundred and fifty-three underwent surgical interventions for previous bone injury and had systematic bone cultures.

RESULTS: Among patients (167) without any clinical, biological or radiological signs of infection, 46% demonstrated infection based on bone cultures. We conclude that bone culture should become a prerequisite for any reconstruction in such contexts.

Language: en

Keywords

Bone culture; Bone reconstructive surgery; War surgery