Antibiotic prophylaxis for pre-tibial haematomas in the elderly
- Report By: Stewart Teece - Clinical Research Fellow
- Search checked by Ian Crawford - Clinical Research Fellow
- Institution: Emerge
- Date Submitted: 16th January 2004
- Date Completed: 1st July 2004
- Last Modified: 1st July 2004
-
Status:
Green (complete)
Three Part Question
In [elderly patients with a large pre-tibial haematoma] does [the prophylactic use of antibiotics] give [a reduction in infective complications]?Clinical Scenario
A 95 year old lady attends the emergency department having slipped against her zimmer frame, hitting her right shin. Examination reveals a 10cm haematoma with no break to the skin. Given the site and size of the haematoma you feel there is a risk of infection developing in the haematoma before it resolves. You therefore arrange clinic follow up and give her prophylactic flucloxacillin. On discussing the case the next day it becomes apparent that a number of colleagues wouldn't have bothered with the antibiotics. You decide to check the literature to see who is right.Search Strategy
Medline 1966-03/04 and CINAHL 1980-03/04 using the OVID interface.Medline: [{exp Hematoma OR haematoma.af OR hematoma.af OR exp CONTUSIONS OR contusion.af} AND {exp TIBIA OR tibia$.af OR shin.af OR exp LEG OR leg.af} AND {exp Anti-Bacterial Agents OR antibiotic.af. OR anti-biotic.af. OR infection.af}] LIMIT to English language.
CINAHL: [{exp Hematoma OR haematoma.af OR hematoma.af OR exp CONTUSIONS OR contusion.af} AND {exp TIBIA OR tibia$.af OR shin.af OR exp LEG OR leg.af} AND {exp Antibiotics OR antibiotic.af. OR anti-biotic.af. OR infection.af}] LIMIT to English language.