prevention of infection in orthopaedics
Last reviewed 01/2018
Infection during orthopaedic surgery is a major problem:
- in the acute phase it perpetuates pain and deformity
- chronic infection has other complications
The main factors in preventing infection are:
- a good state of pre-operative health
- good aseptic technique in theatre
- a clean air environment
- careful handling of tissues during the operation
Prophylactic antibiotics should be considered in patients undergoing:
- joint replacement therapy
- internal fixation of closed fractures
- specific elective procedures, e.g. spinal surgery
Open fractures are invariably contaminated and should be treated with:
- debridement
- possible delayed primary closure
- antibiotics
pathogenic organisms in orthopaedic infections
antibiotics in joint replacement surgery