Antibiotic Management and Operative Debridement in Open Fractures of the Hand and Upper Extremity: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Open fractures of the hand are thought to be less susceptible to infection than other open fractures because of the increased blood supply to the area. Current evidence for all open fractures shows that antibiotic use and the extent of contamination are predictive of infection risk, but time to debridement is not. We reviewed in a systematic review the available literature on open fractures of the hand and upper extremity to determine infection rates based on the timing of debridement and antibiotic administration. We continue to recommend prompt debridement and treatment of most open fractures of the upper extremity.