Rates of pin site infection during distraction osteogenesis based on monthly observations: a pilot study.

PURPOSE To assess the monthly rates of infection of individual pin sites in 7 patients during distraction osteogenesis. METHODS Five men and 2 women aged 15 to 35 (mean, 23) years underwent distraction osteogenesis for 8 tibias using the Ilizarov ring external fixator or Taylor Spatial Frame. Patients were taught to perform standard daily pin site care at home, and were evaluated monthly for pin site infection by a single observer using a standardised grading system. RESULTS Of 1334 observations made on 110 pin/wire sites, there were 83 (6%) pin site infections; 44 (3%) were grade 1 and 39 (3%) were grade 2. The risk of infection was higher at half pin than wire sites. The highest rates occurred in the distal segment. CONCLUSION Monthly evaluation of individual pin sites enables comparison between studies.