The researchers identified 6,789 patients who underwent knee and hip arthroplasty. They defined surgical site infection as a superficial infection that occurred within 30 days or a deep infection that occurred within one year. The researchers used their findings to create a scoring system for surgical site infection risk, which ranged from zero points to 35 points.
Here are their scores for risk of infection based on procedure:
1. Primary hip arthroplasty: 0 points
2. Primary knee arthroplasty: 1 point
3. Revision hip arthroplasty; revision knee arthroplasty: 3 points
Here are their scores for risk of infection based on comorbidities:
1. Non-insulin dependent diabetes: 1 point
2. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: 1 point
3. Insulin-dependent diabetes: 1.5 points
4. Inflammatory arthropathy: 1.5 points
5. Tobacco use: 1.5 points
6. Lower-extremity osteomyelitis or pyogenic arthritis: 2 points
7. Pelvis, thigh or leg traumatic fracture: 2 points
8. Lower-extremity pathologic fracture: 2.5 points
9. Morbid obesity: 2.5 points
10. Primary bone cancer: 4 points
11. Reaction to prosthesis in the last 3 years: 4 points
12. History of staphylococcal septicemia: 4.5 points
The researchers concluded that “we believe that infection risk can be objectively determined in a preoperative setting with the proposed SSI risk score.”
More articles on orthopedics:
Are there ethnic differences in athletes’ bony hip morphology? 3 study insights
Dr. James Rubright joins Tennessee Orthopaedic Alliance: 3 things to know
Is pain after orthopedic trauma surgery associated with depression, PTSD? 3 study insights
At the Becker's 23rd Annual Spine, Orthopedic and Pain Management-Driven ASC + The Future of Spine Conference, taking place June 11-13 in Chicago, spine surgeons, orthopedic leaders and ASC executives will come together to explore minimally invasive techniques, ASC growth strategies and innovations shaping the future of outpatient spine care. Apply for complimentary registration now.
