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N/A N=100 Randomized Quadruple-blind Treatment

Pilot RCT Local Gentamicin for Open Tibial Fractures in Tanzania

Open Tibia Fracture

Enrolled (actual)
100
Serious AEs
0.0%
Results posted
Dec 2023
Primary outcome: Primary: Rate of Enrollment — 12.5 Participants enrolled per month

Study Design & Population

Study type
Interventional
Phase
N/A
Interventions
local gentamicin injection (Drug); placebo saline injection (Drug)
Age
Adult, Older Adult · 18+ yrs
Sex
All
Sponsor
University of California, San Francisco
Primary completion
Sep 2021

Outcome Measures

OutcomeResultp-value
PRIMARY
Rate of Enrollment
12.5
PRIMARY
Rate of Retention
84
PRIMARY
Occurrence of Fracture-related Infection (FRI)
9; 7
SECONDARY
Euro-Qol 5 Dimensions (EQ-5D)
0.950; 0.938
SECONDARY
Modified Radiographic Union Scale for Tibial Fractures (mRUST) Score
11.9; 12.0
SECONDARY
Function Index for Trauma (FIX-IT) Score
10.9; 11.2
SECONDARY
Occurrence of Nonunion
7; 6
SECONDARY
Occurrence of Fracture-related Reoperation
3; 1

Summary

Local application of antibiotics directly to the traumatic wound is a promising strategy for the prevention of infection after open tibia fractures, which are a significant source of disease burden globally, particularly in low-income countries. This pilot study aims to assess feasibility of a randomized controlled trial to measure the effect of locally applied gentamicin on risk of infection for open tibial fractures in Tanzania. If proven effective, local gentamicin would be a highly cost-effective strategy to reduce complications and disability from open tibial fractures that could impact care in both high- and low-income countries.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

  • Male or female patients age 18 or older
  • Diagnosis of an acute open tibial shaft fracture meeting the following criteria:
  • AO/OTA Type 42
  • Primarily closable wound
  • Type I, II, or IIIA Gustilo- Anderson (GA) Classification

Exclusion Criteria

  • Time from injury to presentation > 48 hours
  • Time from injury to surgery >7 days
  • History of Aminoglycoside allergy
  • GA IIIB or IIIC open fractures
  • Bilateral open tibial fractures
  • Severe brain (GCS 10% total body surface area (TBSA) or >5% TBSA with full thickness or circumferential injury)
  • Pathologic fracture
  • History of active limb infection, ipsilaterally
View full record on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03559400). Outcome figures and adverse-event rates are extracted automatically from the registry's posted results and are provided for clinician reference, not as a substitute for the primary publication.

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