Summary
A prospective randomised study was carried out on 86 patients with first, second and third degree open fractures in order to compare the effect of isotonic saline; distilled water and boiled water as irrigating fluids. The standard management consisted of emergency surgical toilet, use of broad spectrum antibiotics and fracture immobilization. The results show that the outcome was not affected by the type of irrigating fluid used.
Résumé
Une étude randomisée a été effectuée sur 86 patients présentant des fractures ouvertes de degré 1, 2 et 3, en vue de comparer l'effet d'une solution saline isotonique, de l'eau distillée et de l'eau simplement bouillie, utilisées comme liquide d'irrigation. La méthode généralement employée a consisté en un nettoyage chirurgical d'urgence associé à l'utilisation d'antibiotiques à large spectre et à l'immobilisation de la fracture. Les résultats ont montré que l'évolution n'a pas été influencée par le type de liquide d'irrigation utilisé.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Gustillo RB, Anderson JT (1976) Prevention of infection in the treatment of 1,025 open fractures of long bones. Retrospective and prospective analysis. J Bone Joint Surg [Am] 58: 453
Gustillo RB et al (1984) Problems in the management of type 3 open fractures. A new classification of type 3 fractures. J Trauma 24: 742
Gregory CF et al. (1984) Open fractures. In: Rockwood CA, Green DP (eds) Fractures in adults, 2nd, p 169
Gross A et al. (1972) Effectiveness of pulsating water jet lavage in treatment of contaminated crushed wounds. Am J Surg 124: 373
Museru LM et al. (1986) Management of open fractures at Muhimbili Medical Centre. In: Proceedings of the Medical Association of Tanzania (MAT).
Ritman WW et al. (1979) Open fractures, long-term result in 200 conservative cases. Clin Orthop 138: 132
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Museru, L.M., Kumar, A. & Ickler, P. Comparison of isotonic saline, distilled water and boiled water in irrigation of open fractures. International Orthopaedics 13, 179–180 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00268044
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00268044