Comparison of Pin Site Infection Rate between Schanz Screws And K-Wires in Ilizarov Fixator for Tibial Fracture

Abstract

Introduction: Different methods are used to fix external fixator after tibial fracture each having advantages and disadvantages. Objectives: To compare frequency of pin site infection rate between Schanz screws and k-wires in Ilizarov fixator for tibial fracture. Material and Methods: This Randomized control trial Study was conducted in the Department of Orthopedics, Lady Reading Hospital Medical Teaching Institute Peshawar Pakistan from September 2022 till March 2023 on 166 patients aged 20 to 60 years of both gender undergoing Ilizarov fixation after isolated fracture of tibia were enrolled using non-probability consecutive sampling technique, after approval of hospital ethical committee and written informed consent of patients. Patients were randomly divided into two groups using computer generated random sequence number. Patients in group A were stabilized using K-wires and patients in group B were stabilized using K-wire and Schanz screws. Pin site infection was noted in both groups at the end of 12 weeks. Data was entered and analyzed using SPSS 22. Results: In our study 166 patients were enrolled, 83 patients in each group. Mean age was 35.83±7.1 years in group A and 37.7±11.6 years in group B. There were 66.3% males in group A and 69.9% males in group B, females were 33.7% in group and 30.1% in group B. Pin site infection was more common in K-wire group as compared to Schanz group i.e., 18.1%versus 7.2%, p-value 0.036. Conclusion: Schanz screw is associated with decrease pin site infection rate as compared to K-wire in Ilizarov fixator for tibial fracture.