Pin site crustsMcKenzie (1999) stated that the issue of whether or not to remove pin site crusts was just as confusing as the choice of which cleaning solution to use. Many authors advocate leaving the crusts in place (Trigueiro 1983, Paley and Jackson 1985, Sproles 1985) whereas Celeste et al(1984) and Ward (1998) advised that if crusts were to be removed, the clinician must demonstrate an understanding of the difference between crusts and scabs. Crusts at the pin site interface provide a barrier to the external surface and therefore should be removed, whereas a scab is an essential part of the healing process and for this reason should not be removed (Ward 1998). Bernardo (2001) recommended that crusts stay in place and should not be disturbed, as the chances of infection increase when the crusts are removed. It was suggested that crusts should only be removed in the presence of continuous drainage (Bernardo 2001). Likewise, the NAON