Aims. Prosthetic joint infection (PJI) remains a serious complication that is associated with high morbidity and costs. The aim of this study was to prepare a systematic review to examine patient-related and perioperative risk factors that can be modified in an attempt to reduce the rate of PJI. Materials and Methods. A search of PubMed and MEDLINE was conducted for articles published between January 1990 and February 2018 with a combination of search terms to identify studies that dealt with modifiable risk factors for reducing the rate of PJI. An evidence-based review was performed on 12 specific risk factors: glycaemic control, obesity, malnutrition, smoking, vitamin D levels, preoperative Staphylococcus aureus screening, the management of anti-rheumatic medication, perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis, presurgical skin preparation, the operating room environment, irrigant options, and anticoagulation. Results. Poor glycaemic control, obesity, malnutrition, and smoking are all associated with increased rates of PJI. Vitamin D replacement has been shown in preliminary animal studies to decrease rates of PJI. Preoperative Staphylococcus aureus screening and appropriate treatment results in decreased rates of PJI. Perioperative variables, such as timely and appropriate dosage of prophylactic antibiotics, skin preparation with chlorohexidine-based solution, and irrigation with dilute betadine at the conclusion of the operation, have all been associated with reduced rates of PJI. Similarly, aggressive anticoagulation and increased operating room traffic should be avoided to help minimize risk of PJI. Conclusion. PJI remains a serious complication of arthroplasty. Surgeons should be vigilant of the modifiable risk factors that can be addressed in an attempt to reduce the risk of PJI

Sinus-track cultures were compared prospectively with cultures from operative specimens in 55 patients with chronic bone infection. There was a total of 115 operative isolates; 102 of the sinus-track isolates were identical (88.7%), showing a specificity of 95.7% and a predictive value of 90.3%. A sinus-track specimen proved to be a reliable source for the isolation of all bacteria causing chronic bone infection except Staphylococcus epidermidis, provided that material from the depths of the sinus was aspirated by syringe from an active flowing sinus and inoculated immediately on culture media. Cotton-swab sinus specimens were unreliable for the isolation of mycobacteria, and could miss many pyogenic bacteria, or contain contaminants. Tuberculous bone infection should be suspected if there is no growth of any pyogenic bacteria or if there is growth of Staphyloccocus epidermidis alone on routine aerobic and anaerobic sinus cultures. Mycobacteria can often be identified from sinus-track culture from patients in whom operative culture, histopathology and clinical examination have failed to confirm the diagnosis of tuberculosis

Aims

Prosthetic joint infections (PJIs) of the hip and knee are associated with significant morbidity and socioeconomic burden. We undertook a systematic review of the current literature with the aim of proposing criteria for the selection of patients for a single-stage exchange arthroplasty in the management of a PJI.