Topical Antibiotic Therapy to Reduce Infection After Operative Treatment of Fractures at High Risk of Infection: TOBRA

Inclusion Criteria:

• Tibial plateau or tibial pilon fractures that is treated operatively with plate andscrew fixation AND at least one of the following characteristics indicative ofhigher risk of infection:

1. Initially treated with an external fixation and treated definitively more than 3 days later after swelling has resolved.

2. Any open type I, II, or IIIA fracture, regardless of timing of definitivetreatment.

3. Tibia fracture is associated with ipsilateral leg compartment syndrome andfasciotomy wounds.

• Patients ages 18 through 80 years.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Study injury is already infected at time of study enrollment.

• Definitive fixation of the study injury prior to enrollment in the study.

• The patient never receives study fixation.

• Massive myonecrosis from ipsilateral leg compartment syndrome.

• Currently pregnant.

• Severe problems with maintaining follow-up (e.g. patients who are homeless at thetime of injury, those who are intellectually challenged without adequate familysupport, or are unwilling to provide phone and address contact information).

• Patients with allergies, drug administration reactions, or other sensitivities toVancomycin (such as a history of Redman's Syndrome).

• Patients with allergies, drug administration reactions, or other sensitivities toTobramycin or other aminoglycosides.