Antibiotic powder sprinkled in wounds may cut infection risk after severe leg fractures

NCT ID NCT02227446

First seen Jul 06, 2026 · Last updated Jul 07, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This trial investigates whether placing vancomycin antibiotic powder directly into the wound during surgery can reduce deep surgical site infections in people with severe tibial plateau fractures. Participants are adults with high-energy fractures requiring plate and screw fixation. Half receive standard care plus vancomycin powder, and half receive standard care alone. The study tracks infections within six months after surgery.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance
vancomycin antibiotic powder
What this could lead to
If it works, this could provide a simple, low-cost way to prevent serious infections after high-risk fracture surgery, reducing the need for additional operations and antibiotics.
What could go wrong
This is a single trial, and results may not apply to all fracture types or patients. Vancomycin powder could cause allergic reactions or contribute to antibiotic resistance, and it may not reduce infection rates as hoped.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for POST OPERATIVE SURGICAL SITE INFECTION are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • University of Maryland R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center

    Baltimore, Maryland, 21201, United States

More trials for these conditions

Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.