[Prevention of periprosthetic joint infections]

High numbers of primary joint replacement procedures lead to increasing numbers of revision surgeries due to periprosthetic joint infections. Several studies revealed different patient-associated and intervention-associated risk factors. Importance should be pointed on short operating times to avoid intraoperative colonisation of the implant with microorganisms. Patient-associated diseases such as diabetes and obesity should be influenced positively in the preoperative setting. Cessation of smoking should be started two months before surgery and continued until wound healing is completed. Intraoperative single-shot antibiotic prophylaxis has become clinical routine. Prolonged perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis is often conducted but has not shown to be effective in lowering infection rates.