Risk Factors for Infection in Patients with Traumatic Wound

Choi, Yoon Hee; Jang, Hye Young; Eo, Eun Kyung; Cheon, Young Jin; Jung, Koo Young

Abstract

PURPOSE
The ultimate goals of wound management are to avoid infection and to achieve a functional and cosmetically cceptable scar. The authors intended to determine the infection rate, as well as the patients, and the wounds, characteristics, associated with wound infection and with suboptimal appearance after traumatic wound management.
METHODS
This prospective study was performed from Dec. 2002 to Aug. 2003 at Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital. Structured data sheets were completed at the times of the patient's Emergency Department visit and the Out Patient Department (OPD) follow-ups. Infection was determined at the time of follow-up, and a cosmetic score was determined at the time of suture removal. A multivariate analysis was used to determine the adjusted odds ratio (OR) of infection. RESULT: Of the 401 patients enrolled, infection was developed in 43 patients (10.7%). The characteristics associated with wound infection on multivariate analysis were age (adjusted OR per years, 1.024; 95% CI=1.010 to 1.037) and bite wounds (adjusted OR 8.645; 95% CI=2.753 to 27.150). A wound location on the head was associated with a lower risk of infection (adjusted OR 0.294; 95% CI=0.150 to 0.563). Suboptimal wound appearance increased with infection (p<0.0001).
CONCLUSION
Both the patients and the wound's characteristics have influence on the likelihood of infection in cases of traumatic wounds. We found that increasing age, and bite wounds were associated with high risk of infection. Wound on the head were associated with lower risk of infection. Education were provided to patients. Efforts are needed.