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Drug Res (Stuttg) 2014; 64(3): 166-168
DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1354367
Opinion Article
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Use of Lavage Fluids in Arthroplasty to Prevent Postoperative Infections

E.-M. Kruckenhauser
1   Experimental Orthopaedics, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
,
M. Nogler
1   Experimental Orthopaedics, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
,
D. Coraça-Huber
1   Experimental Orthopaedics, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

received 02 July 2013

accepted 01 August 2013

Publication Date:
28 August 2013 (online)

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Abstract

Objective:

Lavage techniques are used every day all over the world to clean wounds and surgical approaches. The solutions used vary depending on the application range; there are, for instance, normal saline, antibiotic or antiseptic solutions. This review describes the lavage solutions actually used during arthroplasty and their outcome related to postoperative infections.

Data Sources and Extraction:

This is a retrospective review of published articles and books. The information was obtained from online browsers for scientific articles.

Results:

The lavage fluids used in arthroscopy and those used in experimental studies were normal saline, bacitracin, castile soap, benzalkonium chloride, povidone iodine, Ringer’s solution, neomycin sulphate, ethanol, chlorhexidine gluconate, cephalothin sodium, and carbenicillin indanyl sodium.

Conclusions:

As few clinical studies were carried out with lavage solutions, most of the results are based on experimental studies. A “golden standard” is still missing.

Key words

antibacterial drugs - infectious diseases - skin pharmacology
 

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