Steinmetz SService of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland.
Wernly DService of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland.
Moerenhout KService of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland.
Trampuz ACharité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Center for Musculoskeletal Surgery (CMSC), Berlin, Germany.
Borens OService of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland.
English
Infection after fracture fixation is a feared complication in orthopaedic surgery leading to poor bone healing and loss of function.Early detection is essential and interdisciplinary care is mandatory.Eradication of infection is only possible through combined surgical and antibiotic treatment.Intraoperative tissue samples must be taken and are effective for guidance of the antibiotic regimen.Infection after fracture fixation is different from prosthetic joint infection (PJI) and needs a specific strategy.In this review, we define infection after fracture fixation, and outline the clinical, radiological and laboratory signs of these infections, as well as a treatment algorithm for optimal patient care. Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2019;4:468-475. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.4.180093.