Fluid Lavage of Open Wounds (FLOW): A Multicenter, Blinded, Factorial Pilot Trial Comparing Alternative Irrigating Solutions and Pressures in Patients With Open Fractures-Journal Review
Journal of Trauma-Injury Infection & Critical Care: September 2011 – Volume 71 – Issue 3 – pp 596-606
Flow Investigators: Mohit Bhandari, Gordon Guyatt, Kyle J Jeray, Bradley Pretisor, Emil Schemitsch, Parag Sancheti, Jeff Anglen,Paul Tornetta, Michael Bosse, Susan Liew
Summary:
- 111 patients at different centres allover the world with open fractures were randomised to be treated with wither castile soap solution or saline and either high or low pressure pulsatile lavage
- The primary composite outcome of reoperation, measured at 12 months after index procedure included infection, wound healing problems and nonunion
- Functional outcome scores were considered as secondary outcome indices
- Since the adverse event rate was low, there were no statistically significant differences
- But data points towards usage of low pressure lavage to reduce infection risk in treating compound fractures
Further Reading:
There are three basic steps in the asssignment of level of evidence to a particular clinical study:
1. Determine the primary research question?
2. Establish the study type?
3. Assign a level of evidence/
For the above study, assign the level of evidence.