Comparative Study of Two Different Disinfectant Solutions Used for Pin Site Care in Patients with Ilizarov Ring Fixation

Abstract

The Ilizarov ring fixation system is used to treat fracture, osteomyelitis, and bone lengthening. Wires and pins are used in order to fix the Ilizarov frame to the affected bone. In patients with Ilizarov ring fixators, pin site infections (PSI) are the most prevalent problem seen by orthopaedic surgeons. Pin sites are prone to infection because the skin barrier is lost or broken, disrupting the body's natural defense against bacterial infection. This was a cross sectional study and 30 patients divided in 2 equal groups, each contained 15 patients were taken under study. The present study included patients treated with Ilizarov external fixators post-injury and followed-up at Orthopedic OPD by history, clinical examination and radiological evidence. 235 pin sites were examined -in all the 30 patients. Demographic information, socioeconomic status, and health status were asked and recorded in the patient identification forms. It was found that, Only 19 of the 125 pins cleaned with chlorhexidine showed evidence of infection, but 32 of the 110 pins cleaned with povidone iodine solution showed infection (p value 0.05This was found to be statistically significant. In the participating groups, the location of infection was not important. The povidone iodine group had the first-degree infections, followed by second- and third-degree infections. According to the Checketts otterburn classification scale, the chlorhexidine group did not report any third-degree infections.