C-arm Drape Perforation During Primary Anterior Hip Arthroplasty

Violation of the sterile field due to tears or perforations in the C-arm drape during primary anterior hip arthroplasty could lead to an increased risk of infection. Deep prosthetic infection is a catastrophic complication of hip arthroplasty. The incidence of C-arm drape perforation during primary anterior hip arthroplasty is unknown. We sought to determine the incidence of C-arm drape perforation during primary anterior hip arthroplasty. The integrity of the C-arm drape was checked with a novel leak test after 36 primary anterior hip arthroplasties. One or more C-arm drape perforations were found intraoperatively or during testing of drapes used for four of thirty-six (11%) procedures. An additional drape leaked at its end seam and ruptured at this seam during testing. Quality testing of this seam may need further evaluation. No infections or wound complications were found at an average follow-up of 9 months. (Journal of Surgical Orthopaedic Advances 30(3):173-175, 2021).