Purpose::The role of topical vancomycin in fracture-related infection (FRI) is debatable. Very few studies have reported their efficacy in open and high-risk extremity fractures. This study aimed to assess topical vancomycin's role in reducing FRI in closed fractures undergoing open surgical intervention with an implant.Methods::This prospective randomized cohort study was carried out between February 2021 to January 2022. Patients with isolated closed fractures, who were planned for open reduction and internal fixation within 2 weeks from the time of injury were included for this study. The data collected included age, gender, socioeconomic status, mechanism of injury, diagnosis, Tscherne classification, and time interval to take up for surgery. Patients were randomized into the intervention and control groups using the block randomization technique. The control group received only systemic antibiotic prophylaxis, whereas the intervention group received topical application of vancomycin powder in the surgical wound alongside systemic antibiotic prophylaxis. The primary outcome measure was the incidence of FRI among these individuals. Clinical and radiological findings and culture reports (in cases with infection) were recorded during the post-operative period and at 6 weeks of follow-up. All relevant statistical calculations were done using STATA statistical/data analysis-parallel edition version 16.0 (StataCorp LLC). The quantitative variables like age and duration of the surgery were assessed for normalcy by Shapiro-Wilk W test. An independent samples t-test with equal variances was applied to the age data. Fisher's exact test was used for the analysis of the primary outcome measure (presence of FRI following surgery), and "Risk of FRI" and "Risk difference" between the 2 groups was calculated. The strength of the association between qualitative variables was assessed using the Fisher's exact and Chi-square tests, respectively. Results::There were 88 patients included in this study. No statistical significance was found about FRI between both groups ( p = 0.494). At 6 weeks following surgery, no incidence of infection was observed in the intervention group. Two infections (4.5%) were found in the control group, with positive cultures reported in one of them but none in the treatment group. Radiologically, 15.9% of patients in the control group showed lysis around the implant compared to 2.3% in the intervention group. Impaired fracture healing was observed in 22.7% of patients in the intervention group compared to 15.9% in the control group. Conclusion::Applying topical vancomycin in closed fractures undergoing open reduction and internal fixation does not significantly reduce the incidence of FRI until the end of 6 weeks following surgery.

PURPOSEWe conducted this study to correlate the short term clinical outcomes after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with patients' age, time since injury and associated meniscal injury.

METHODSA total of 43 patients who underwent ACL reconstruction between October 2013 and February 2015 were taken for the study. Preoperative demographic data, clinical scores (Lysholm, IKDC) were recorded for each patient. Time since injury and associated meniscal injuries were recorded. Then a standardized surgical technique was used for each graft type. They were followed up for 6 months and the Lysholm and IKDC scores were evaluated.

RESULTSOnly 33 patients completed 6 months follow-up at the end of this study. Twenty-four patients (72.7%) were in the age group of 18-30 years. Nine patients belonged to age group 30-50 years (27.3%). The p value for differences in Lysholm scores between the two age groups was not significant (0.339). The p value for differences in IKDC scores between the two age groups was not significant either (0.138). The mean Lysholm scores were 93.86 ± 3.024 for the group who presented <6 months post-injury, 92 ± 5.494 for the group who presented between 6 months and 1 year and 94.64 ± 3.104 for the group who presented after 1 year; whereas the mean IKDC scores were 92.43 ± 0.793, 90.64 ± 6.598 and 90.89 ± 2.113 respectively. The correlation of outcomes with meniscal injury had no statistical significance.

CONCLUSIONBased on our study, we conclude that age, time since injury and associated meniscal injury does not affect short term functional outcome in ACL reconstruction.