Prosthetic Joint Infection After Dental Work: Is the Correct Prophylaxis Being Prescribed? A Systematic Review

Prosthetic joint infection (PJI) of total hip (THA) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA) after dental procedures is uncommon, and antibiotic prophylaxis remains controversial. For high-risk patients, the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons recommends amoxicillin prophylaxis. However, no systematic review of the literature of PJIs associated with dental procedures explores if amoxicillin is suitable for the reported organisms.

A librarian-assisted search of the major databases (PubMed, Medline, Embase, Scopus) identified 954 articles. Only case reports, case series, and reviews with patient level data were included. After exclusions, 79 articles were fully reviewed.

Forty-four PJIs after dental procedures were identified, 22 in primary THA, 20 in primary TKA, one in revision THA, and one in a hip resurfacing procedure. Antibiotic prophylaxis was documented for 5 patients. The dental procedure was invasive in 35 (79.5%). Comorbidities were present in 17 patients (38.7%). The organisms reported were Streptococcus spp. in 44%, other aerobic gram-positives in 27%, anaerobic gram-positives in 18%, and gram-negative organisms in 11%. An estimated 46% of organisms may be resistant to amoxicillin. The outcomes of treatment were reported for 35 patients (79.5%). Twenty-seven patients (61.4%) had no clinical signs of PJI at the final follow-up visit.

Lower extremity PJI associated with dental procedures is often caused by organisms unlikely to be prevented with amoxicillin. Additional studies are warranted to determine the choice and efficacy of antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent dental-associated PJI in the highest risk patients. Insufficient data exist to recommend the optimal treatment for patients with PJI in THA and TKA associated with dental procedures.