An outcome tracking evaluation to assess the product performance of a new tailored silver-coated antimicrobial barrier dressing* in external fixator wire insertion sites

Introduction: Percutaneous orthopedic pins penetrate the skin, adjacent muscle and soft tissue and then enter the bone, and may penetrate through to the other side of a limb.  Infection is a major complication of external fixation of fractures. The rate of infection ranges from 0.5%-30% and the incidence of chronic osteomyelitis, after external fixation has been reported to be between 0%-4%. At present, there is no standard in pin site care for external fixators.

Evaluation: The evaluation was a prospective, non-randomized, open labeled, clinical evaluation dressing was assessed for product performance characteristics over the duration of the evaluation which was 4 weeks, or 8 dressing changes.

Results: An outcome tracking evaluation to assess the product performance of a new tailored silver-coated antimicrobial barrier dressing* in external fixator wire insertion sites

Conclusion: The outcome tracking evaluation of 16 patients has concluded that the new tailored silver-coated antimicrobial barrier dressing* was easy to apply and remove. There was no pain associated with the removal of the dressing and the patient found it very conformable to wear. The condition of the patient’s skin surrounding the percutaneous insertion device was found to be healthy throughout the course of the evaluation. None of the insertion sites developed any signs of clinical infection throughout the course of the evaluation.

• There were no clinical signs of infection at any time throughout the course of the evaluation.

• The product performance characteristics were rated as “better” compared to their previous standard dressing regimen.