Peptoniphilus olsenii in a polymicrobial surgical site infection following open reduction and internal fixation of a calcaneal fracture: Case report

Surgical treatment of calcaneal fractures is associated with a high incidence of postoperative wound infections, ranging from 7% to 25%. Their treatment is a real challenge in orthopedic surgery. Herein, we present a rare case of a polymicrobial surgical site infection involving the anaerobic species Peptoniphilus olsenii in a 59-year-old male. The infection was treated in multiple stages by aggressive surgical debridement together with filling the formed calcaneal cavity with bioactive glass, silver-impregnated dressing, vacuum-assisted closure, skin grafting, and targeted antibiotic therapy. Finally, we briefly discuss our treatment algorithm according to literature data.