Influence of Corticosteroid Injections on Postoperative Infections in Carpal Tunnel Release

The Influence of Corticosteroid Injections on Postoperative Outcomes of Carpal Tunnel Release: A Systematic Review

“…For the full text screening, 51 papers were assessed, leaving 9 relevant studies: 5 papers with intraoperative CIs and 5 papers with preoperative CIs. [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15] One study used both intraoperative and preoperative CIs. 14 The reviewing process is shown in ►Fig.…”

“…Kirby et al analyzed patients with postoperative infection retrospectively and compared these to control patients (►Table 5). 15 Patients in the infection group had a significantly shorter period between CI and surgery (77 AE 52 days) than in the control group (133 AE 89 days) (p ¼ 0.05). Thirty-six patients (92%) had a superficial postoperative infection, and three patients (8%) had a deep postoperative infection (►Table 6).…”

“…They recommend informing patients about the risk of infection after CTR when CIs are given in the prior 2 to 3 months. 15 Other studies using preoperative CIs did not mention infection rates. [11][12][13] There is no evidence for improved recovery after CTR when using preoperative CIs.…”

“…The five studies included in the preoperative CI group were all retrospective cohort studies, in which a total of 1,413 patients were included. [11][12][13][14][15] From these patients, 504 patients underwent a preoperative CI, and 909 patients did not receive a CI. Study characteristics are shown in ►Table 3.…”

What’s New in Hand and Wrist Surgery

“…The rate of surgical site infection or wound complications for CMC arthroplasty was significantly increased when a corticosteroid injection has been administered to the surgical site within 90 days prior to the surgical procedure 43 . Kirby et al demonstrated a much higher rate of infection after CTR if a corticosteroid injection had been administered preoperatively (mean, 55 days) 44 . Suppurative flexor tenosynovitis is a rare but serious complication after trigger finger release surgery 45 , and corticosteroid injection within 30 days prior to trigger finger release portends an elevated risk of deep infection requiring surgical debridement.…”