Characteristics and risk factors of postoperative infection in tibial fracture patients after plate fixation

Objective To investigate the characteristics and risk factors of postoperative infection in tibial fracture patients after plate fixation. Methods A total of 202 patients with tibial fractures treated with plate fixation in our hospital from January 2016 to March 2017 were selected. The patients were divided into infection group (68 cases) and uninfected group (134 cases) according to postoperative infection condition. A risk factor questionnaire was prepared to collect data on risk factors for infection in both groups:age, gender, diabetes, fracture type, anatomical features, surgical timing, surgical methods, postoperative drainage, and antimicrobial agents. Univariate and Logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the collected data. Results In the infection group, a total of 38 pathogens were detected including 24Gram-positive bacteria and 14 Gram-negative bacteria. The detected Gram-positive bacteria included Staphylococcus aureus (41.7%) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (20.8%). Univariate and Logistic regression analysis found that diabetes, fracture type, anatomical characteristics, timing of surgery, surgical methods, postoperative drainage, and antimicrobial agents were the risk factors for infection of tibial fracture patients after plate fixation. Conclusion The patients with tibiofibular fractures after plate fixation develop infection easily, and Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis are mainly responsible for the infection. The diabetes, fracture types, anatomical features, surgical timing, surgical methods, postoperative drainage, and antibacterial agents are the risk factors for infection in patients with tibial fractures after plate fixation. The risk factors for infection should be emphasized in clinical work to reduce disability, and promote the early recovery of patients.