EXTERNAL FIXATORS WITH HYDROCYN GEL PINSITE DRESSING IN PREVENTION PINTRACT INFECTION: A COHORT STUDY
Description
Background: Pin site infection (PSI) is a pervasive complication of external fixation, with prevention hampered by a lack of consensus on optimal care. This study evaluated the efficacy of Hydrocyn gel, a stabilized superoxidized hydrogel with anti-biofilm properties, for PSI prophylaxis. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted from April 2024 to December 2025. Twenty-one patients with external fixators were included: 15 used Hydrocyn gel and 6 used conventional flavin dressing (control). All performed self-dressing every three days. Patients were followed weekly for four weeks, with PSI diagnosed and graded using the Checketts-Otterburn scale. Results: The Hydrocyn group (71 pin sites) had a significantly lower per-pin infection rate of 8.4% (6/71) compared to 47.8 % (11/23) in the control group. In the Hydrocyn group, three patients developed Grade 1 infections; one resolved spontaneously, one resolved with intensified care, and one had worsening infection required surgical debridement and pin removal. The control group experienced earlier and more frequent infections, with one patient requiring early debridement and multiple cases progressing to Grade 2 and 3. No osteomyelitis was reported in either group. Conclusion: Hydrocyn gel is associated with a markedly lower incidence of pin site infection compared to standard flavin dressing in a trauma population. Its anti-biofilm action offer a promising novel strategy for PSI prevention. These findings support further investigation through randomized controlled trials to establish Hydrocyn gel as a new standard in pin-site care.