Primary closure of skin wounds after debridement of open fractures is controversial. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether primary skin closure for grade-IIIA or lower-grade open extremity fractures is associated with a lower deep-infection rate.
Immediate closure of carefully selected wounds by experienced surgeons treating grade-I, II, and IIIA open fractures is safe and is associated with a lower infection rate compared with delayed primary closure.
Copyright remains with the authors and publisher.
Primary closure of skin wounds after debridement of open fractures is controversial. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether primary skin closure for grade-IIIA or lower-grade open extremity fractures is associated with a lower deep-infection rate.
Immediate closure of carefully selected wounds by experienced surgeons treating grade-I, II, and IIIA open fractures is safe and is associated with a lower infection rate compared with delayed primary closure.
Copyright remains with the authors and publisher.