Wound leakage has been shown to increase the risk of prostetic joint infections (PJIs) in primary total hip (THA) and knee arthroplasty (unicondylar and total knee arthroplasty; KA). The aim of this study is to determine whether the addition of a continuous subcuticular bonding stitch to a conventional 3-layer closure method reduces the incidence of prolonged wound leakage and PJIs after THA and KA. This retrospective cohort study included all patients receiving a THA or KA. Patients in the control group with a 3-layer closure method had surgery between November 1st 2015 and 2016, and were compared to the study group with a 4-layer closure method that had surgery between January 1st 2017 and 2018. The primary outcome was incidence of prolonged wound leakage longer than 72 hours. Differences were evaluated using logistic regression. Incidence of PJIs was the secondary outcome.Aim
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