To identify the most common infecting organisms associated with deep infection and infected non-union of the tibia, as well as the rate of ‘culture-negative’ infections, at a tertiary referral trauma centre dealing with military and civilian trauma. Between 2008 and 2010 all patients with a confirmed clinical diagnosis of implant-related infection or infected non-union of the tibia were identified retrospectively from a database and their records analysed. After a period of at least 10–14 days without antibiotics, all patients underwent surgical debridement in which ‘clean’ samples were went for microbiological analysis. Skeletal stablity was achieved with a circular frame and intravenous antibiotics were started pending culture and sensitivity results.Aims
Method