Treatment of external fixation pins about the wrist: a prospective, randomized trial

118 skeletally mature patients (120 wrists) with displaced, unstable, distal radial fracture managed with an external fixation device were randomised to undergo one of three treatments. The first group followed a protocol involving weekly dry dressing changes, the second group performed daily pin-site care with a solution of saline and hydrogen peroxide, and the third group had a treatment with chlorhexidine-impregnated discs (Biopatch) placed around the pins, with weekly disc changes. The primary outcomes were based on the rate and risk of complications. Results indicated that the use of special pin-site care with saline/hydrogen peroxide solution or the Biopatch intervention did not reduce the rate of pin-related complications.