Trial reportInternational orthopaedics2023
Hydroxyapatite-coated compared with stainless steel external fixation pins did not show impact in the rate of pin track infection: a multicenter prospective study.
Trial report in International orthopaedics, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Who cites it
5 citing papers in PubMed, 8 citations in OpenAlex.
- Time-dependent microbial colonisation of temporary external fixations: a prospective descriptive study.Journal of orthopaedic surgery and research · 2026Article
- Foot and ankle biomaterials: a comprehensive review of current applications, challenges, and future directions.Journal of orthopaedic translation · 2026Review
- Pin-tract infection is an important factor associated with pin loosening during external fixation: a prospective analysis of 47 consecutive patients.Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology · 2025Article
- In-vitro external fixation pin-site model proof of concept: A novel approach to studying wound healing in transcutaneous implants.Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Part H, Journal of engineering in medicine · 2024Article
- [Comparative study of external fixator combined with Kirschner wire fixation and Kirschner wires fixation in treatment of cubitus varus deformity in children].Zhongguo xiu fu chong jian wai ke za zhi = Zhongguo xiufu chongjian waike zazhi = Chinese journal of reparative and reconstructive surgery · 2024Article
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Authors and funding
3 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
purposeInfection at the pin site remains the most common complication of external fixators (EFs). It is known that hydroxyapatite (HA)-coated pins increase bone adhesion and may lead to reduced rates of reported infections. The present study compares the rates of pin track infection associated with stainless steel and HA-coated pins.
methodsThis is a prospective, multicenter, nonrandomized, comparative intervention study among patients undergoing surgical treatment with EFs of any type between April 2018 and October 2021. Patients were followed up until the removal of the EF, or the end of the study period (ranging from 1 to 27.6 months). The definition of pin track infection was based upon the Maz-Oxford-Nuffield (MON) pin infection grading system.
resultsOverall, 132 patients undergoing external fixation surgery were included. Of these, 94 (71.2%) were male, with a mean age of 36.9 years (SD ± 18.9). Infection of any type (score > 1) was observed in 63 (47.7%) patients. Coated and uncoated-pin track-infection occurred in 45.7% and 48.5% of patients, respectively (P= 0.0887). The probability of developing infection (defined as a score ≥ 2) adjusted for comorbidities and follow-up time was not statistically higher among those who received uncoated pins compared to those who received pins coated with HA (odds ratio (OR) = 1.56, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 0.67-3.67, p <0.05).
conclusionIn the present study, the external fixator pin infection rates were similar when using HA coating and standard steel pins.
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