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Low-grade infections a growing problem in shoulder, elbow surgeries
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PRAGUE — Postoperative, low-grade infections in the shoulder and elbow are becoming a growing problem in orthopedic surgeries, a speaker reported today at the 16th Annual EFORT Congress, here.
Robert Hudek, MD, of Rhön-Klinikum AG, Bad Neustadt an der Saale, Germany, reported postoperative infection rates have increased from 0.4% to 3.8% for the entire spectrum of procedures in shoulder and elbow surgery, according to a press release.
“For shoulder endoprosthesis operations, for instance, the incidence of infections is 1.1% for anatomical and 3.8% for reverse implants. In the treatment of rotator cuff ruptures, the rate is 0.4% to 1.9%,” Hudek said at the meeting, according to the press release.
Additionally, arthroscopic procedures do not reduce the risk for a low-grade infection, according to Hudek.
In England, hospital costs attributed to the infections have amounted to an average of €1.4 billion, or £1 billion, each year, he said.
More attention to the prevention and detection of these infections must be taken during shoulder and elbow surgery, according to Hudek. The germs responsible for these infections, the most common being Propionibacterium acnes, are inaccessible to conventional skin disinfection, according to the release.
Hudek noted the use of iodine impregnated incision drapes and a sufficiently sized laminar air-flow system during a procedure may help cut down on infections. Additionally, multiple changes of surgical gloves and surgical drapes can help reduce infections by about 50%, he said.
Patients at higher risk for infection include smokers, as well as patients who are younger and male. Hudek recommended that patients who currently smoke quit prior to their operation.
Reference: www.efort.org.