Irrigation Solutions in Total Joint Arthroplasty

Despite advancements in the field of adult reconstruction, prosthetic joint infection (PJI) remains a common and devastating complication of total joint arthroplasty. Eradication of these infections can often prove difficult, and they remain a source of considerable morbidity and mortality. This clinical review paper will focus on some of the more commonly used irrigation solutions; povidone-iodine (PI), chlorhexidine (CHG), acetic acid (AA), hydrogen peroxide (HP), antibiotic irrigations, taurolidine, and polyhexanide-betaine (PB).

Significant research has been performed on the prevention of PJI, including use of intraoperative joint irrigation solutions. Several solutions have been theorized to aid in infection prevention, but no evidence-based practice guidelines in this area of orthopaedics have been established. There is a paucity of prospective randomized control trials to compare the efficacy of these joint irrigation solutions.

The authors present a review regarding seven major categories of commonly used intraoperative joint irrigation solutions. The current literature fails to demonstrate a clear consensus for a preferred solution and concentration for povidone-iodine, chlorhexidine, hydrogen peroxide, acetic acid, antibiotic irrigations, taurolidine, and polyhexanide-betaine. Prospective, randomized control trials directly comparing these different irrigation solutions are needed.