Periprosthetic Infection: Better Safe Than Sorry. Evidence-Based Scoping Review
Mohamed Hashem1 and Hatem Hussein2*
1Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust Frimley. England, UK
2Southend University Hospital- Mid and South Essex NHS trust. England, UK
*Corresponding Author: Hatem Hussein, Southend University Hospital- Mid and South Essex NHS trust. England, UK.
Received:
April 09, 2025; Published: July 28, 2025
Abstract
Background: Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a devastating complication following total joint arthroplasty (TJA) with increased morbidity, prolonged hospital stays, and significant healthcare costs. Despite advancements in surgical techniques and perioperative protocols, infection rates remain between 1% and 2% for primary procedures, with higher rates in revision surgery [1]. As to be safe is better than to be sorry, we have conducted this evidenced-based review to address:
1. What are the key perioperative risk factors contributing to PJI?
2. Evidence-based best practices to mitigate these risks?
Methods: A comprehensive review of PJI identifying preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative risk factors, preventive measures, and evidence-based strategies was conducted on PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases with prioritization of high-quality meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), and systematic reviews, following Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research (CORR) guidelines [2]. Step-by step approach to identify these risk factors and best practices mitigating each risk was proposed.
Discussion: PJI accounts for approximately 6,000 revision procedures annually in the UK, with a 4.5-fold increase in healthcare costs compared to uneventful primary TJA [3]. Preventive measures, including but not only patient optimization, strict antibiotic prophylaxis, enhanced surgical asepsis, early mobilization, and wound surveillance, significantly reduced infection rates [4]. Our evidence-based approach offers a unique practical insight to achieve this.
Conclusion: A multidisciplinary approach integrating preoperative risk stratification, patient intraoperative infection control, and structured postoperative surveillance can keep patient safe rather than sorry regarding periprosthetic infection. Since our approach strictly adhere to robust quality evidence-based guidelines with practical view, it can significantly reduce infection rates, improve outcomes, and decrease healthcare costs [5].
Keywords: Periprosthetic joint infection, Clinical Orthopaedics
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