Evaluation of Infection Rates in Open Fractures Managed at Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Edo State

Infection remains the most feared and consequential complication of open fracture management, capable of causing chronic osteomyelitis, implant failure, and limb loss. This retrospective descriptive study evaluates infection rates and associated risk factors in patients with open fractures managed at Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Edo State, South South Nigeria, over a three-year period. Case records of all open fracture admissions will be reviewed for Gustilo-Anderson classification, wound contamination grade, time from injury to surgery, debridement adequacy, antibiotic coverage, wound closure timing, implant type, and post-operative infection occurrence. Infection will be classified using the Cierny-Mader system where applicable. Logistic regression will identify predictors of post-operative infection. The study hypothesises that grade IIIB and IIIC injuries with delayed presentation carry the highest infection risk. Results will be submitted to the orthopaedic unit for protocol review and to the infection control committee to address gaps in antibiotic stewardship. This research provides evidence to support the development of a locally adapted open fracture management protocol for hospitals in the South South zone, where limited trauma surgical capacity often results in suboptimal timing and resource constraints. Keywords: open fracture, infection rates, Gustilo-Anderson, chronic osteomyelitis, Edo State.