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Background:There is confusion in the current literature regarding the value of obtaining predebridement wound cultures in the management of open fractures with several studies reporting contrasting results. We undertook a pilot study to determine the initial bacterial flora of open fractures in our environment and determine the correlation between subsequent wound infection if any, and the initial bacterial flora.Materials and Methods:Initial/predebridement wound swabs were obtained for 32 patients with open fractures. Patients underwent a debridement of the open wound and preliminary stabilization of fracture in the operating room within 24 h. Postdebridement wound cultures were obtained at 48 h and repeated subsequently, if indicated, during the follow-up period. The antibiotic therapy was modified based on the culture reports.Results:Initial wound swab culture showed bacterial contamination in 18 patients (56%); 14 patients (44%) developed an infection in the immediate postoperative period or during follow-up. Age, gender, co-morbid medical condition, delay in presentation, and grade of open fracture were not found to be predictors of postoperative infection. No patient had an infection with the same organism, which was present in the initial culture.Conclusion:The findings of this study suggest that the initial flora are not the infecting organisms in the open fracture wounds, and predebridement wound cultures have no value in predicting postdebridement wound infection.

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is the most common ligament to be torn in the knee joint and ACL reconstruction (ACLR) is one of the most commonly performed surgery in orthopaedics nowadays. This study evaluated short term results of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with quadruple hamstring tendon (QHT) graft using EndoButton for femoral fixation and Bio absorbable interference screw for tibial fixation.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> Out of the<strong> </strong>68 patients who underwent single-bundle ACLR with QHT graft  using EndoButton for femoral fixation and Bio absorbable interference screw for tibial fixation, 60 patients were followed up for a minimum period of 2 years. Patients were followed up at regular intervals and evaluation was done using the anterior drawer test, Lachman test, pivot-shift test, modified Cincinnati rating system and Tegner-Lysholm knee scoring scale.<strong></strong></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> There was improvement in the Lachman test and pivot-shift test at 2 year follow-up, from grade 2 (n=47) or grade 3 (n=6) to grade 1 (n=17) or grade 0 (n=42) and from grade 1 (n=38) or grade 2 (n=12) to grade 1 (n=14) or 0 (n=45), respectively. The mean Modified Cincinnati score and Tegner-Lysholm knee score improved from 59.57 to 99.03 and 64.45 to 98.87 respectively at 2 year follow-up. Complications occurred in 3 patients, a re-rupture due to trauma at 1 year after surgery, development of a cyclops lesion with restricted range of motion and a superficial infection at the graft harvest site.</p><p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> The two year follow-up results of ACLR with QHT graft using EndoButton for femoral fixation and bioabsorbable interference screw for tibial fixation are satisfactory and comparable with other modalities of graft fixation.</p>

Background and Objectives: Surgical site infection (SSI) is a challenge for the surgeon. Incidence of SSI reported in literature varies from 0.5% to 15%. Severity of SSI ranges from superficial skin infection to life-threatening condition like septicaemia. It is responsible for increased morbidity, mortality, and economic burden to the hospital in general, and the patient in particular. The aim of this study was to assess the risk factors, bacteriological profile, length of hospitalization, and cost due to orthopaedic SSI in patients admitted to a tertiary care hospital. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective case control study. Cases were diagnosed based on CDC definition of nosocomial SSI. All cases were assessed preoperatively, intraoperatively and postoperatively, according to type of surgery, wound class, duration of operation, antimicrobial prophylaxis, use of drain, preoperative hospital stay, causative micro organism, total hospital stay, re-admission rates and cost incurred. Age, sex and surgical procedure matched controls without SSI, were also assessed. Chi- square test and Fisher's exact test were used for analysis. P= <0.05 was considered significant. Results: Out of 1023 patients, 47 cases had SSI, with a rate of 4.6%. Cigarette smoking was a risk factor for SSI (P = 0.0035). The most common etiologic agents were Acinetobacter baumannii and Staphylococcus aureus. Incidence of re- admission among SSI cases was more compared to controls (P= 0.0001). Costs attributable to SSI (Indian Rupees) was Rs 32,542 (17,054 to 87,514) which was significantly more than those without SSI (P= <0.001). Conclusion: Despite latest surgical amenities, meticulous sterilization protocols and pre-operative antibiotic prophylaxis, SSI continues to be present in healthcare settings. The increase in duration of hospital stay due to SSI adds to additional burden to an already resource-constrained healthcare system.

Osteomyelitis of clavicle is rare in neonates. Acute osteomyelitis of clavicle accounts for less than 3% of all osteomyelitis cases. It may occur due to contiguous spread, due to hematogenous spread, or secondary to subclavian catheterization. Chronic osteomyelitis may occur as a complication of residual adjoining abscess due to methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) sepsis. We report a newborn female with right shoulder abscess that developed chronic clavicular osteomyelitis in follow-up period after drainage. She required multiple drainage procedures and was later successfully managed with bone curettage and debridement. We report this case to highlight that a MRSA abscess may recur due to residual infection from a chronic osteomyelitis sinus. It may be misdiagnosed as hypergranulation tissue of nonhealing wound leading to inappropriate delay in treatment. High index of suspicion, aggressive initial management, and regular follow-up are imperative to prevent this morbid complication.