Microbiological Profile of Pin Tract Infections due to External Fixators

Abstract

Introduction: Pin tract infections are complications associated with external fixators. Proper diagnosis and treatment can prevent further complications related to the infection. There are limited numbers of studies on this infection and thus treatment is usually based on individual’s experience. Therefore, this study was undertaken to have a better understanding of pin tract infections and to help us establish a treatment protocol in the hospital. Aim: To determine the incidence of pin tract infections among all patients who have external fixators, to identify the causative agents and study their antibiotic sensitivity pattern. Materials and Methods: The present study was a cross-sectional study which was conducted in a tertiary hospital for patients who had external fixators. After obtaining ethical clearance and informed consent from the patient, all patients were monitored and if there was clinical suspicion of infection, discharge/pus was collected from the infection site and processed in the microbiology laboratory as per standard laboratory protocol to isolate and identify the causative agent. Antimicrobial susceptibility using Kirby Bauer’s disc diffusion method. Statistical analysis was done by using Microsoft excel 2010. Results: It was found that out of the 30 patients included in the study, six patients showed clinical evidence of pin tract infections with male preponderance. The most common isolate was Acinetobacter baumanii followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Citrobacter koseri with variable antibiotic susceptibility pattern. Conclusion: Pin tract infection occurred in 20% of the patients. Early diagnosis and treatment prevents complications which further reduces the cost of treatment and the number of days of hospital stay.