Systematic review compares infection rates in paediatric patients with type I open tibia fractures treated with antibiotics or debridement, suggesting nuanced treatment approaches.
Key Points
Nonoperative management with antibiotics showed an infection rate of 4.87% in children with Gustilo-Anderson type I open tibia fractures.
Operative debridement resulted in a lower infection rate of 2.33% for the same type of fractures in paediatric patients.
Included studies follow PRISMA guidelines, assessing a total of 123 patients across ten retrospective studies.
Current evidence does not support a routine shift from established management guidelines for open tibia fractures in children.