Clinical Study

Infection Rates in Open Fractures of the Tibia: Is the 6-Hour Rule Fact or Fiction?

Table 1

Stratification of infected cases stating distribution with regard to Gustilo-Anderson classification and time to debridement of each individual case.

Infected caseGustilo-Anderson Grade Time to debridement (hours)

(1)I 14.5
(2)II 9.25
(3)II 12.5
(4)II 1.15
(5)IIIA 3.45
(6)IIIA 5.45
(7)IIIA 5.55
(8)IIIA 3.25
(9)IIIB 9.25
(10)IIIB 1.00
(11)IIIB 8.45
(12)IIIB 2.15