Previous data from our institution show that more than half of all prosthetic joint infections are due to S. aureus. A significant proportion of these bacteria may have an endogenous source. Detecting and treating asymptomatic S. aureus nasal carriers preoperatively has been shown to reduce the risk of infection. This is an ongoing prospective study that started in March/2009 and involves primary total knee or hip arthroplasties candidates. So far preoperative nasal swab cultures were performed in 211(61%) out of 347 patients operated until April/2010. Carriers are identified and randomly chosen for preoperative treatment consisting of nasal mupirocin twice a day and daily cloro-hexidine baths in the 5 days that precede surgery. Antibiotic prophylaxis is cefazolin 24hours adding a single vancomycin dose in MRSA carriers.Background
Material and Methods
