The Prevention of Periprosthetic Joint Infection in Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty Using Pre-Operative Chlorhexidine Bathing

Abstract

Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) after total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a devastating complication. The aim of this study was to investigate whether preoperative bathing using chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) before THA can effectively reduce the postoperative PJI rate. A total of 933 primary THA patients, with the majority being female (54.4%) were included in the study. Primary THA patients who performed preoperative chlorhexidine bathing were assigned to the CHG group (190 subjects), and those who did not have preoperative chlorhexidine bathing were in the control group (743 subjects). The effects of chlorhexidine bathing on the prevention of PJI incidence rates were investigated. Differences in age, sex, and the operated side between the two groups were not statistically significant. Postoperative PJI occurred in four subjects, indicating an infection rate of 0.43% (4/933). All four infected subjects belonged to the control group. Although the PJI cases were significantly more in the control group than in the CHG group, statistical analysis revealed no statistical significance in the risk of PJI occurrence between the two groups (p = 0.588). Preoperative skin preparation by bathing with a 2% chlorhexidine gluconate cleanser did not produce significant effects on the prevention of postoperative PJI in primary THA.

Effect of the clinical nursing pathway on clinical symptoms, hip joint function, and nursing satisfaction in male patients with artificial hip arthroplasty

“…The present study showed that patients in the study group had significantly shorter stay in hospital, less treatment cost, less score of symptom check after interventions, better hip joint function, higher nursing satisfaction, and lower incidence of side effects than those in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Consistent with the previous reports (both local and international) these results indicate that the clinical nursing pathway has a considerable advantage in the clinical nursing practice for patients with artificial hip arthroplasty [23][24][25]. However, in practical setting, it is also important to note that treatment and care should be strictly carried out according to the scheduled timetable.…”