Wound Hygiene Practices After Total Knee Arthroplasty: Does It Matter? Journal Article


Authors: Yu, A. L.; Alfieri, D. C.; Bartucci, K. N.; Holzmeister, A. M.; Rees, H. W.
Article Title: Wound Hygiene Practices After Total Knee Arthroplasty: Does It Matter?
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Current literature is limited with regard to standardized postoperative surgical site hygiene after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). With little guidance from the literature, the timing of permissible postoperative cleaning is a decision made by the individual surgeon using anecdotal evidence. A standardized wound care regimen is of particular interest to minimize the risk of infection. METHODS: To examine what species of bacteria recolonize the surgical site postoperatively, a randomized controlled trial was performed of 16 TKA patients who were allowed to shower at 2 days postoperatively and of 16 patients who were asked to wait until 2 weeks postoperatively before showering after TKA. Culture swabs of skin adjacent to the incision were performed preoperatively, just after incision closure, at dressing removal, and at 2 weeks postoperatively. Bacteria were speciated and compared between groups. A swab of the contralateral knee was performed at 2 weeks as a control. A survey of patient's preference regarding early and late showering was also carried out. RESULTS: No difference was found between the groups in rate of colonization or bacterial type, and no patients developed infection. Patients overwhelmingly preferred early showering rather than late (P = .28-.99). CONCLUSION: There is no difference in surgical site bacterial recolonization between early and delayed showering after primary TKA.
Journal Title: The Journal of arthroplasty
ISSN: 1532-8406; 0883-5403
Publisher: Unknown  
Date Published: 2016
Language: ENG
DOI/URL:
Notes: LR: 20160501; CI: Published by Elsevier Inc.; JID: 8703515; OTO: NOTNLM; 2016/01/12 [received]; 2016/03/08 [revised]; 2016/03/17 [accepted]; aheadofprint