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Prophylactic Antibiotic Coated Nail to Prevent Infection: A Clinical Trial

Prophylactic Antibiotic Coated Nail to Prevent Infection: A Clinical Trial

Status
Recruiting
Phases
Phase 4
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT05421741
Enrollment
484
Registered
2022-06-16
Start date
2023-05-15
Completion date
2027-12-01
Last updated
2026-03-18

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Osteomyelitis Tibia, Tibial Fractures, Open Tibia Fracture

Keywords

Antibiotic-coated nail

Brief summary

This prospective randomized clinical trial will compare outcomes between patients treated primarily with a prophylactic antibiotic coated nail and those treated with traditional standard of care intramedullary (IM) nailing.

Detailed description

Despite significant treatment advances and protocols to prevent infection, severe open fractures of the lower extremity still have very high rates of deep infection. Infection in an active duty military population increases disability and decreases the likelihood of returning to duty. In addition, infection is one of the main factors associated with rehospitalization. Further, deep infections have not only resulted in increased disability after injury, infection is implicated as one of the main factors in late amputation. Among service members, only 20-25% with a severe open tibia fracture are able to return to active duty. Novel techniques for reducing infection are needed. The proposed study addresses the focus area of fracture-related infections, specifically the prevention of infection. This prospective randomized clinical trial will compare outcomes between patients treated primarily with a prophylactic antibiotic coated nail and those treated with traditional standard of care intramedullary (IM) nailing. This prospective randomized clinical trial will compare outcomes between patients treated primarily with a prophylactic antibiotic coated nail and those treated with traditional standard of care intramedullary (IM) nailing. The target population for the proposed study is patients with severe open tibia fractures (Type II or Type III) who require definitive fixation with intramedullary nail recruited from one of the participating sites during the index hospitalization. One group will be treated prophylactically using an antibiotic coated intramedullary nail at time of definitive fixation (1CN), while the second group will be treated with traditional standard of care intramedullary nail without antibiotic-coating (SN). Participant will be followed for 12 months (data capture including patient interviews and clinical data capture from the treatment team and medical record at baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months).

Interventions

DRUGAntibiotic coated intramedullary Nail

Antibiotic coated intramedullary nail: A mixture of 40gm bag of acrylic cement, antibiotic powder (Vancomycin 2gm) and 560mg gentamicin liquid. The intramedullary is coated with the mixture using a cement gun tube.

Standard Intramedullary Nail

Sponsors

Wake Forest University Health Sciences
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Patients 18 years or older * Gustilo Type II or III open tibia fracture requiring definitive fixation with intramedullary nail

Exclusion criteria

* Less than 18 years of age * Allergy to vancomycin or gentamicin * Unable to speak English or Spanish * Pregnant and lactating women * Prisoner * Unable to follow up for 12 months

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Number of Participants who develop deep surgical site infection (SSI)Day 30 through month 12Number of participants in each group who develop SSI as defined by the criteria establish by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC criteria define deep as occurring within 30 or 90 days after the procedure. However, we will continue to follow patients for 12 months and document any infections and other complications during this period.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Percentage of Unionweek 6, month 3, month 6 and month12Union is the gradual process of bone regeneration after a fracture. Percentage of Union, as determined by the treating surgeon, will be assessed via radiographs. Recorded by surgeon as yes/no answers.
Time to Unionweek 6, month 3, month 6 and month12Captured in days
Average Time to Return to Work/Dutyweek 6, month 3, month 6 and month12number of days
International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ)week 6, month 3, month 6 and month12IPAQ measures the total amount of physical activity completed in a 7 day period by calculating the minutes per week in in each physical activity level domain (walking, moderate and vigorous) by a metabolic equivalent energy (MET) expenditure estimate. Walking = 3.3 x number of walking minutes x number of walking days Moderate activity= 4.0 x number activity minutes x number of days Vigorous activity = 8 x number of activity minutes x number of days Total = Walking MET-min/wk+moderate MET-min/wk+vigorous MET-min/wk
Number of Subjects Who Have Returned to Workweek 6, month 3, month 6 and month12Determined by asking whether subjects have returned to work
Number of Participants who Return to Operating Room (OR)Month 12
PROMIS-29 Subscale--Physical Functionweek 6, month 3, month 6 and month12The PROMIS-29 scales will be scored using a T-score metric method. A score of 50 points represents the population average for each scale, and 10 points represent one standard deviation. Higher scores means higher physical function.
PROMIS-29 Subscale--Physical Function: Anxietyweek 6, month 3, month 6 and month12The PROMIS-29 scales will be scored using a T-score metric method. A score of 50 points represents the population average for each scale, and 10 points represent one standard deviation. Higher scores means a higher level of anxiety.
PROMIS-29 Subscale--Depressionweek 6, month 3, month 6 and month12The PROMIS-29 scales will be scored using a T-score metric method. A score of 50 points represents the population average for each scale, and 10 points represent one standard deviation. Higher scores means a higher level of depression.
PROMIS-29 Subscale--Fatigueweek 6, month 3, month 6 and month12The PROMIS-29 scales will be scored using a T-score metric method. A score of 50 points represents the population average for each scale, and 10 points represent one standard deviation. Higher scores means a higher level of fatigue.
PROMIS-29 Subscale--Sleep Disturbanceweek 6, month 3, month 6 and month12The PROMIS-29 scales will be scored using a T-score metric method. A score of 50 points represents the population average for each scale, and 10 points represent one standard deviation. Higher scores means a higher level of sleep disturbance.
PROMIS-29 Subscale--Pain Interferenceweek 6, month 3, month 6 and month12The PROMIS-29 scales will be scored using a T-score metric method. A score of 50 points represents the population average for each scale, and 10 points represent one standard deviation. Higher scores means a higher level of pain interference.
Radiographic Union Scale in Tibial fractures (RUST) scoreweek 6, month 3, month 6, and month 12The RUST score ranges from a minimum score of 4 (definitely not healed) to a maximum score of 12 (completely healed). The final x-ray obtained within a 12-month period following injury will be uploaded to REDCap for review by a blinded panel of investigators from participating sites.
PROMIS-29 Subscale--Ability to Participate in Social Roles and Activitiesweek 6, month 3, month 6 and month12The PROMIS-29 scales will be scored using a T-score metric method. A score of 50 points represents the population average for each scale, and 10 points represent one standard deviation. Higher scores means a higher ability to participate in social roles and activities.

Countries

United States

Contacts

CONTACTRachel Seymour, PhD
Rachel.Seymour@advocatehealth.org7043552000
CONTACTChristine Churchill, MA
Christine.Churchill@advocatehealth.org7043552000
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORJoseph Hsu, MD

Wake Forest University Health Sciences

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Mar 19, 2026