Determination of Pathogens in Surgical Site Infections in Ankle Fractures and Implications for Empirical Antibiotic Treatment.

Surgical site infections (SSIs) are the most common complication after surgery for ankle fractures. This retrospective study aimed to determine the pathogens cultured in SSI and their antimicrobial susceptibility patterns to provide a recommendation for empirical therapy. Patients who underwent surgical treatment for an ankle fracture were included. Cases were screened for the occurrence of SSI and divided into superficial (short course [total of <2 weeks] of oral antibiotics) and deep SSI (surgical debridement and long course [total of >2 weeks] antibiotics). Culture results, antimicrobial susceptibility patterns, empirical antibiotic regimen, type and timing of culture collection, and treatment strategies were collected from electronic health records. In total, 81 (9%) out of 931 patients developed an SSI (39 (48%) superficial SSI and 42 (52%) deep SSI). The most common pathogens in 16 superficial SSI and 37 deep SSI with positive cultures were Staphylococcus aureus, cultured in 11 (69%) superficial SSI and 23 (62%) deep SSI, and Enterobacter cloacae species, cultured in 5 (31%) superficial SSI and 12 (32%) deep SSI. Higher frequencies of gram-negative bacteria and polymicrobial infections were found in deep SSI. It is recommended to aim for empirical treatment at gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms in the case of both superficial and deep SSI.Level of Evidence: Prognostic, Level 2: Retrospective.