Perioperative management of external fixation in staged protocols: an international survey.

Introduction: Despite the frequent use of external fixation, various regimes of antibiotic prophylaxis, surgical technique and postoperative pin care exist and underline the lack of current evidence. The aim of the study was to assess the variability or consensus in perioperative protocols to prevent implant-associated infections for temporary external fixation in closed fractures of the extremities.

Materials And Methods: A 26-question survey was sent to 170 members of the Traumaplatform.