A review of pin site wound infection assessment criteria

SummaryThis paper sets out to examine the literature which considers the recognition of infection in external fixator pin site wounds. Six published sets of assessment criteria are considered in relation to the clinical value of the tools. The review finds that all of the existing tools are flawed in terms of their validity both for practice and for research into pin site wound care options. The need for further study of the patients’ experience of the symptoms of pin site infection is identified.