Antibiotic prophylaxis for dental treatment after prosthetic joint replacement: exploring the orthopaedic surgeon's opinion.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Antibiotic prophylaxis before dental treatment is routinely recommended by orthopaedic surgeons to prevent prosthetic joint infection (PJI). This recommendation is at odds with current guidelines.

Methods

A postal survey of 9 checkbox or short-answer questions was completed by 633 orthopaedic surgeons.

Results

The majority of respondents (n = 186 of 260, 72%) believe that antibiotic prophylaxis is required indefinitely for dental treatment. A small number (n = 43, 15%) seek a dentist's opinion before elective joint replacement. The surgeons reported low numbers of PJIs, although 24% (n = 68 of 280) believed that they were associated with dental treatment.

Conclusions

Australian orthopaedic surgeons continue to recommend antibiotic prophylaxis for den

SUBMITTER: McNally CM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5045463 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature