[Efficacy of antiseptics in the prevention of post-operative infections of the proximal femur, hip and pelvis regions in orthopedic pediatric patients. Analysis of the first results]

Abstract

Purpose of the study: In orthopedics an infected operative wound always presents a serious complication that, apart from many adverse effects on the patient, increases the costs of therapy. The aim of this study was to analyze the effectiveness of antiseptic agents in the prevention of postoperative complications associated with surgery on the proximal femur, hip and pelvis in children.

Material: This prospective randomized study included 162 patients with the following diagnoses: cerebral palsy, developmental hip dysplasia, Perthes' disease, epiphyseolysis of the femoral head, and tumors. A total of 182 surgical procedures were carried out on soft and bone tissues in the proximal femur, hip and pelvis regions. The patients were allocated to two groups according to the intra-operative conditions used. Group 1, including 89 patients, was treated with 3.5 % solution of betadine before final closing of the wound and group 2, comprising 73 patients, received no betadine irrigation during the intraoperative period. The other operative and post-operative conditions provided for the patients were identical; surgery was carried out in one operating theatre without laminar air flow.

Results: The average follow-up was 7.8 months (range, 2-14 months). No infected operative wound was observed in group 1, and two superficial wound infections were recorded in group 2.

Conclusions: The first results of our study suggest the need of prophylactic intra-operative irrigation of wounds in the hip and pelvis region. Irrigation with a diluted betadine solution is indicated in accord with the risk factors of the patient's diagnosis and the site of surgery, and also when the operative time is longer, there is insufficient protection with single-use surgical toweling, laminar air flow is present in the operating theatre or for other reasons.