Incidence and Associated Factors of Infection in Open Fractures of the Hand at Umphang Hospital
Keywords:
Open hand fractures, Postoperative infection, Border hospital, Delayed debridement, Blast injuryAbstract
Open hand fractures are common injuries at Umphang Hospital. They are often severe, heavily contaminated, and difficult to manage due to limited access to healthcare, leading to a high risk of postoperative infection. This study aimed to determine the incidence and associated factors of postoperative infection and the rate of reoperation due to infection in patients with open hand fractures. A retrospective cohort study was conducted on patients treated between July 2021 and December 2024. Factors associated with infection were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression.
A total of 60 patients were included. Postoperative infection occurred in 11 patients (18.3%). No statistically significant associations were identified with injury mechanism, fracture type, or time to surgery. Five patients (8.3%) required reoperation for deep infection or osteomyelitis. Patients with blast injuries and comminuted or bone-loss fractures tended to have higher infection rates.
The infection rate of open hand fractures at Umphang Hospital was higher than previously reported. Blast injuries and comminuted or boned-loss fractures should be classified as high-risk open fractures; therefore, patients require meticulous wound care, appropriate antibiotics, and close postoperative monitoring.
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