About this trial
The purpose of this study is to help doctors who treat open fractures understand how much fluid is required when cleaning out the wound. Participants will spend about 12 months in this study and will be asked to answer study questions about your recovery at your typical follow up clinic visits with your surgeon. After the surgeon has determined a participant's bone has healed, any remaining study visits can be conducted over the phone, email, and/or mail. Participants will not be asked to attend additional clinic visits as part of this study. Researchers will compare two different fluid volume protocols to determine if one results in better fracture and/or wound healing.
Eligibility criteria
Qualifiers
Age 18 or older
Patient diagnosed with a Type I, II, or III open fracture of the appendicular skeleton by a study surgeon
For the purposes of this study, an open fracture is a fracture associated with a soft tissue wound which may or may not be contiguous with the fracture.
Open fractures of the carpals, tarsals, metacarpals, metatarsal, and/or phalanges without the involvement of a long bone or the hindfoot will not be considered.
Disqualifiers
Patient is unable to understand Informed Consent and/or HIPAA Authorization Form
Patient does not speak English
Patient is pregnant
Patient is unable or (in the judgment of research personnel) unlikely to attend follow-up visits.
Trial design
Treatments tested in this trial
- 0.9% Sodium Chloride
Treatment groups
Sponsors and collaborators
Inova Health Care Services
Lead sponsor
Society of Military Orthopedic Surgeons
Collaborator