RESUMO Objetivo: Identificar a taxa de infecção em pacientes adultos com fratura exposta atendidos em dois hospitais terciários no município de Canoas, Rio Grande do Sul. Métodos: Estudo quantitativo descritivo feito no Hospital de Pronto Socorro de Canoas (HPSC). Foram elegíveis os pacientes entre 18 e 60 anos internados com fratura exposta no setor de traumatologia e ortopedia da emergência do HPSC, de janeiro a maio de 2014, e que foram acompanhados por um ano. Resultados: Foram incluídos 133 pacientes com fratura exposta, a maioria do sexo masculino (92,48%), com média de 36 anos. Houve predomínio de fraturas do tipo III, de Gustilo e Anderson. A taxa de infecção foi de 18,80%, mais frequente em fraturas do tipo III, de Gustilo e Anderson (72%). As bactérias mais frequentemente identificadas nas infecções foramStaphylococcus aureuseEnterobacter aerogenes. Conclusão: A taxa de infecção em fraturas expostas de pacientes atendidos inicialmente na emergência do HPSC foi de 18,80%. As infecções ocorreram predominantemente em fraturas do tipo III, de Gustilo e Anderson. As bactérias com maior incidência nas infecções foramStaphylococcus aureuseEnterobacter aerogenes.

ABSTRACT Objective: To identify the infection rate in adult patients with open fractures treated at two tertiary hospitals in the city of Canoas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.. Methods: This quantitative descriptive study was conducted at Hospital de Pronto Socorro de Canoas. Eligible participants were adults aged 18-60 years with open fractures who were admitted to the orthopedic trauma service from January to May 2014 and followed-up for one year.. Results: A total of 133 patients with open fractures were included; most were men (92.48%), with a mean age of 36 years. There was a predominance of Gustilo-Anderson type III fractures. The infection rate was 18.80%, being more frequent in Gustilo-Anderson type III fractures (72.00%). The most commonly observed bacteria were Staphylococcus aureus, and Enterobacter aerogenes., . Conclusion: The infection rate in open fractures of patients initially treated at the emergency department of HPSC was 18.8%. The infections occurred predominantly in Gustilo-Anderson type III fractures. The bacteria with the highest incidence in infections were Staphylococcus aureus and Enterobacter aerogenes.