Patient-related risk factors for periprosthetic joint infection
Patient-related risk factors for periprosthetic joint infection

Summary/Abstract: Introduction: Periprosthetic joint infection is still a serious surgical complication with incidence of 0.5 – 2 %. Prevention is the most effective therapeutic method of infectious complications. Recognizing and treating modifiable patient-related risk factors for infection can significantly reduce the risk of periprosthetic infection. Objective: The aim of this study is to provide a comprehensive summary of individual modified patient-related risk factors for periprosthetic joint infection and suggest recommendations for minimizing post-surgery infectious complications. Findings: There are several studies examining general and local patient-related risk factors for infection in joint replacement surgery. General risk factors mainly include comorbidities, smoking and alcohol abuse. Local risk factors are the presence of chronic skin infections and skin defects associated with venous insufficiency. Conclusions: A total joint replacement is almost always an elective procedure, which allows the surgeon to prepare the patient for the surgery and thus minimize the risk of periprosthetic joint infection. It is essential to identify and treat modified patient-related risk factors for infection. Personal discussion with the patient preoperatively is very important, to sensitized him to the risk of infection, screening and prevention. However, there is no patient without a risk of infection complications.

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