RODRIGUES, Pedro et al. Factores de risco para a infecção em artroplastia total do joelho. []. , 20, 4, pp.437-443. ISSN 1646-2122.

Objectives: Determine the evidence based probability of the involved risk factors in predisposing infection following total knee arthroplasty. Methods: Retrospective comparison between infected and uninfected patients, consecutively undergoing primary total knee arthroplasty, operated between January 2008 and September 2009. The factors evaluated were: duration of hospitalization, duration of surgery, prophylactic antibiotics and timing of administration, volume of blood loss, volume of blood transfusion, anesthetic technique, and also possible host risk factors, the ASA classification, high blood pressure, Diabetes Mellitus, Obesity (BMI>30) and immunosuppression. Results: We evaluated 239 patients with a mean follow-up of 20 months. We identified 10 deep infections (4.18%), and 10 superficial wound infections and found a positive correlation between infection and obesity (p <0.01), immunosuppression (p <0.01), and volume of blood transfusion (p=0.02). Conclusion: The incidence of infection after total knee arthroplasty in patients consecutively operated in a tertiary referral hospital was high. The presence of obesity, immunosuppression and the volume of blood transfusion administered were identified as significant risk factors for infection to occur. Other factors, commonly referred to in the literature, showed no association, or the tendency for infection did not reach statistical significance. The identification, modification or eviction of the risk factors implied are essential to reduce and prevent infection in arthroplasty.

: Arthroplasty; knee; infection; prevention.

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