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Updated: Jun 21, 2026

Novel Diagnostics in Revision Arthroplasty: Implant Sonication and Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction
Published on: December 3, 2017
[The monitoring and analysis of arthroplasty related infection]
Zu-yu Wang1, Chen Yao, Xu-sheng Qiu
1The Center of Diagnosis and Treatment for Joint Disease, Drum Tower Hospital Affiliated to Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, Jiangsu, China.
Objective:
To monitor and analyze the arthroplasty related infection situations of Drum Tower Hospital, so as to provide evidences for the prevention of infection after arthroplasty.
Methods:
Monitoring of infection situations of nine arthroplasty operations were carried out from July to August in 2008. Five sampling methods were used to monitor the air of the 30 m2 surgery for 4 times. Through the cotton swab sampling, hands of 14 surgeons and 76 samples of surgical instruments (forceps, surgical scissors, retractors) were collected and then for bacterial culture.
Results:
The average amount of the total number of free-floating bacteria in our surgery was 88.2 cfu/m3. For the germiculture, 8 samples of hand detections were positive; 11 samples of surgical instruments including those used and unused and exposed at different times were positive.
Conclusion:
In the surgery of arthroplasty, all operation personnels should protect the air cleanliness degree, obey the surgical hand-washing rules and diminish the exposed time of aseptic table.
Insights
This study monitored bacterial contamination in arthroplasty surgeries, finding positive bacterial cultures on surgeon hands and instruments. Strict adherence to air cleanliness and hand-washing protocols is crucial for preventing surgical site infections.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Infection Control
- Microbiology
Context:
- Arthroplasty surgeries are susceptible to infections.
- Monitoring microbial contamination is essential for patient safety.
- Drum Tower Hospital aimed to assess infection risks in its orthopedic procedures.
Purpose:
- To monitor and analyze infection situations related to arthroplasty at Drum Tower Hospital.
- To provide evidence-based recommendations for preventing post-arthroplasty infections.
- To evaluate bacterial contamination levels in the surgical environment.
Summary:
- Bacterial monitoring of nine arthroplasty operations was conducted using air and surface sampling.
- Average airborne bacteria count was 88.2 cfu/m3.
- Positive bacterial cultures were found on 8 surgeon hands and 11 surgical instruments.
Impact:
- Highlights the need for stringent air quality control in operating rooms.
- Emphasizes the importance of surgical hand hygiene and minimizing instrument exposure.
- Informs strategies to reduce the incidence of arthroplasty-related infections.
