Infection in war wounds: experience in recent military conflicts and future considerations.

War wounds are characterized by devitalized tissue, the presence of debris, and contamination by bacteria--factors that contribute to the establishment of wound infection. A review of the literature regarding the incidence of wound infection in recent military conflicts strongly suggests that infection in open war wounds occurs with relative frequency despite strict adherence to the principles of surgical debridement and administration of "prophylactic" antibiotics. Further research leading to improved methods of preventing wound sepsis is warranted in order to reduce the incidence of wound infections in the future.