A systematic review of the influence of burying or not burying Kirschner wires on infection rates following fixation of upper extremity fractures

Journal article : Correspondence

Fractures of the upper extremity are common with bones in the hand most frequently fractured. Hand fractures are typically seen in men of working age, distal radius fractures in an older population following a fall and supracondylar fractures in children.1 Kirschner wire (K-wire) fixation is the most common method of surgical fixation. One of the key decisions is whether to bury or not to bury the wire ends. Current popular opinion suggests that buried wires reduce infection rates. However, burying wires still retains a risk of erosion through the skin with subsequent pin site infection. It is also unclear whether a pin site infection of a non-buried wire affects outcomes and is significant risk factor for deep bone infection. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the current evidence to support decision-making as to whether K-wires should be buried or not buried following fracture fixation in the upper extremity with regards to post-operative outcomes.

Authors: Wormald, JCR; Jain, A; Lloyd-Hughes, H; Gardiner, S; Gardiner, MD

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Reviewed (other)
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Journal: Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery
• Volume: 70
• Issue: 9
• Pages: 1298-1301
• Publication date: 2017-07-06
• Acceptance date: 2017-06-25
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bjps.2017.06.036
• EISSN: 1878-0539
• ISSN: 1748-6815
• Pmid: 28712881
• Language: English
• Keywords: fracture; bone wires; fracture fixation; hand injuries
• Subtype: Correspondence