Abstract
Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is recognized as one of the most successful surgical
procedures performed today. One of the most common and dreaded complications of TKA
is postoperative infection. To prevent infections, it is critical to identify patients
at high risk through analyzing their risk factors, and help in addressing them prior
to surgery. The effort to prevent infection must be carried through every step of
the surgical process, from preoperative counseling to intraoperative measures and
postoperative protocols. Hair removal, the application of antiseptics, the utilization
of antibiotics, barbed sutures, smart dressings, and antibacterial washes are some
of the avenues surgeons may explore to help prevent infection.
Keywords
total knee arthroplasty - infection - barbed sutures - smart dressing
