Date of Graduation

Spring 2023

Abstract

This work explores hypochlorous acid as an antimicrobial treatment to prevent infection in compound fractures. Compound fractures are a type of fracture in which there is an open wound near the site of bone fracture, that is usually caused by bone protruding through the skin, leading to increased chance of contamination. The treatment of compound fractures begins with operative irrigation in the attempt to minimize infectious complications caused by contamination. Osteoblasts, bone forming cells that play a role in fracture treatment, will be exposed to products used in irrigation. If hypochlorous acid is to be considered as a treatment to improve the outcome of compound fractures, the safety of HOCl and osteoblasts must be determined. The first aim of this project will be to generate a cell culture in which commercially purchased osteoblast cells will be able to survive in an in vitro setting to allow for experimentation. The second aim of this research will involve the introduction of hypochlorous acid in various concentrations to cultures of osteoblasts to determine the cell survivability. To determine the concentration at which the cells will be able to survive, a constant number of cells will be introduced to various concentrations of hypochlorous acid, and a cell count will be performed following incubation. It was found that hypochlorous acid did not negatively impact osteoblast survivability or decrease proliferation.

Keywords

osteoblast, compound fracture, osteomyelitis, bone, hypochlorous acid

Subject Categories

Medical Cell Biology | Orthopedics

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