Objective To evaluate the effect of antibiotic-loaded hydrogel coating in postoperative infection after internal osteosynthesis in ankle fractures. Methods Between March 2016 and February 2019, 253 patients with close ankle fractures were treated in the 910th Hospital of Chinese PLA. There were 110 males and 143 females. The average age was (49.3±12.6) years[range 20 to 77 years]. According to AO fracture classification, there were 129 cases in type A, 112 cases in type B and 12 cases in type C. All patients were divided into treatment group and control group: 126 patients in treatment group underwent internal osteosynthesis with antibiotic-loaded hydrogel coating, and 127 patients in control group underwent conventional internal osteosynthesis. ASEPSIS wound score, rate of infection, time of fracture healing, AOFAS score, SF-12 score and indicators of inflammatory were recorded. Results All patients were followed up for (18.1±4.5) months [range 12 to 30 months]. After 7 and 14 days, there was no significant difference about ASEPSIS score and rate of delayed wound healing between two groups(P<0.05). The rate of infection was 0 in treatment group and 4.7% in control group, and there was significant difference between the two groups(P>0.05). There was no significant difference between 2 group about time of fracture healing, AOFAS score, SF-12 score and indicators of inflammatory(P>0.05). Conclusion Antibiotic-loaded hydrogel coating can reduce the risk of infection after internal osteosynthesis in ankle fracture, and it is an effective, convenient and safe antibiotic assistant way. |