Perioperative Dexamethasone Administration Does Not Increase the Incidence of Postoperative Infection in Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty: A Retrospective Analysis.
BACKGROUND: Dexamethasone is frequently used for the treatment of postoperative nausea and vomiting and as an adjunct in multimodal postoperative analgesia after total joint arthroplasty; however, the incidence of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) after the use of perioperative dexamethasone in total joint arthroplasty has yet to be fully elucidated. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted of all patients who underwent total hip or knee arthroplasty (N = 6294) between January 1, 2002 and January 31, 2014. The primary outcome was PJI requiring surgical intervention. Patients were subdivided into 2 cohorts; patients who received perioperative dexamethasone, a single 4- to 10-mg intravenous dose, as prophylaxis against postoperative nausea and vomiting (Dex group; N = 557) and those that did not receive perioperative dexamethasone (No Dex group; N = 5737). Secondary measures included timing of infection, culture data, and the type and number of subsequent procedures. Statistical analysis was performed using a chi-square or Fisher's exact test where appropriate. RESULTS: Seventy-four joints of the 6294 joints included in this analysis ultimately developed a PJI for an overall incidence of infection of 1.2%. Seven of the 557 joints (1.3%) in the Dex group developed a PJI; 67 of the 5737 joints (1.2%) in the No Dex group developed an infection. This difference was not significant (P = .8022). No significant difference in the timing of infection or the number of subsequent procedures was seen. CONCLUSION: A single intravenous perioperative dose of dexamethasone had no statistically significant difference in the rate of PJI after total hip or knee arthroplasty.
Duke Scholars
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Related Subject Headings
- Treatment Outcome
- Retrospective Studies
- Prosthesis-Related Infections
- Postoperative Period
- Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting
- Perioperative Period
- Orthopedics
- Middle Aged
- Male
- Incidence
Citation
Published In
DOI
EISSN
Publication Date
Volume
Issue
Start / End Page
Location
Related Subject Headings
- Treatment Outcome
- Retrospective Studies
- Prosthesis-Related Infections
- Postoperative Period
- Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting
- Perioperative Period
- Orthopedics
- Middle Aged
- Male
- Incidence