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Table 4 Subgroup analysis and respective results for sensitivity and specificity. PTC, peri-implant tissue culture; SFC, sonicate fluid culture

From: Sonication in the diagnosis of fracture-related infections (FRI)—a retrospective study on 230 retrieved implants

 

Total (%)

Sensitivity

Specificity

 

SFC

PTC

p

SFC

PTC

p

Initial diagnosis

 Suspected infection (local signs)

93

40.4

89.2

84.3

.22

50.0

30.0

.63

 Non-union

68

29.6

92.3

76.9

.63

78.2

90.9

.12

 Implant dislocation

47

20.4

100.0

90.9

80.6

88.9

.51

 Peri-implant fracture

8

3.5

a

50.0

87.5

.38

 Hardware irritation

6

2.6

50.0

83.3

.63

 Chronic osteitis

5

2.2

60.0

100.0

 Posttraumatic osteoarthritis

3

1.3

100.0

100.0

Bone

 Femur

93

40.4

93.1

89.7

1

76.6

93.8

.013

 Lower leg

71

30.9

90.4

82.7

.13

73.7

78.9

1

 Humerus and shoulder girdle

29

12.6

100.0

87.5

66.7

90.5

.13

 Spine

15

6.5

91.7

83.3

1

33.3

66.7

1

 Forearm

9

3.9

100.0

100.0

87.5

100.0

 Pelvis

8

3.5

100.0

100.0

60.0

60.0

1

 Foot

5

2.2

0.0

0.0

66.7

66.7

1

Fracture fixation device

 Plate and screws

167

72.6

90.0

82.9

.18

73.2

89.7

.004

 Nail

26

11.3

100.0

93.8

60.0

100.0

 Screws

24

10.4

83.3

77.8

1

83.3

66.7

1

 Multiple

9

3.9

100.0

100.0

82.2

71.4

1

 (Cerclage) wires

4

1.7

100.0

100.0

66.7

100.0

Early vs. delayed vs. lateb

 Early

11

4.8

100.0

100.0

77.8

77.8

1

 Delayed

71

30.9

86.4

77.3

.22

59.3

92.6

.004

 Late

148

64.3

93.4

88.5

.38

77.0

88.5

.08

Preoperative antibioticsc

 Yes

35

15.2

85.2

70.4

.22

62.5

50.0

1

 No

195

84.8

92.5

88.8

.38

73.9

91.3

.001

Sinus excludedd

180

78.3

98.2

93.0

.25

73.2

88.6

.003

3+ tissue culturese

88

38.3

86.0

79.1

.45

75.6

82.2

.61

Sinus excluded AND 3+ tissue cultures

66

28.7

100

90.5

75.6

82.2

.61

  1. a–, missing values/not calculable
  2. bEarly: < 2 weeks after device implantation; delayed: 2–10 weeks; late: > 10 weeks
  3. cAny administration of antibiotics within 14 days prior to surgery
  4. dPatients with sinus tract and/or wound breakdown excluded from sub-analysis
  5. ePatients with less than three retrieved corresponding tissue cultures excluded from sub-analysis