Study Status: Completed
Recruit Status: Completed
Study Type: Interventional
Official Title: Fluid Lavage of Open Wounds (FLOW): A Multi-center, Blinded, Factorial Trial Comparing Alternative Irrigating Solutions and Pressures in Patients With Open Fractures
Brief Summary: Open fracture wounds are a constant challenge to orthopaedic surgeons, with infections a common complication. There is currently little evidence as to which is the most effective way to wash out these wounds. This study is a multi-center, prospective, randomized study. The infection rates will be compared between irrigation using high pressure versus low pressure versus gravity flow, and also saline versus a soap solution as the irrigation solution. The results from this study will help to determine the best method of washing out open fractures wounds. In this study, all open wounds will be washed out using methods commonly used by orthopaedic surgeons