Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 17, 2025

Surgical Retrieval, Isolation and In vitro Expansion of Human Anterior Cruciate Ligament-derived Cells for Tissue Engineering Applications
Published on: April 30, 2014
Risk factors for postoperative surgical site infections after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a systematic
Di Zhao1,2, Gui-Hong Liang2,3, Jian-Ke Pan2,3
1The Second Clinical School of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
Objectives:
The primary aim was to evaluate risk factors for surgical site infections after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). The secondary aim was to investigate the surgical site infection incidence rate and the mean time to postoperative surgical site infection symptoms.
Design:
Systematic review and meta-analysis.
Data Sources:
PubMed, Embase and Web of Science were searched from database inception to September 2021 and updated in April 2022.
Eligibility Criteria:
Quantitative, original studies reporting potential risk factors for surgical site infections after ACLR were included.
Results:
Twenty-three studies with 3871 infection events from 469 441 ACLRs met the inclusion criteria. Male sex (OR 1.78, p< 0.00001), obesity (OR 1.82, p=0.0005), tobacco use (OR 1.37, p=0.01), diabetes mellitus (OR 3.40, p=0.002), steroid use history (OR 4.80, p<0.00001), previous knee surgery history (OR 3.63, p=0.02), professional athlete (OR 4.56, p=0.02), revision surgery (OR 2.05, p=0.04), hamstring autografts (OR 2.83, p<0.00001), concomitant lateral extra-articular tenodesis (OR 3.92, p=0.0001) and a long operating time (weighted mean difference 8.12, p=0.005) were identified as factors that increased the risk of surgical site infections (superficial and deep) after ACLR. Age, outpatient or inpatient surgery, bone-patellar tendon-bone autografts or allografts and a concomitant meniscus suture did not increase the risk of surgical site infections. The incidence of surgical site infections after ACLR was approximately 1% (95% CI 0.7% to 1.2%). The mean time from surgery to the onset of surgical site infection symptoms was approximately 17.1 days (95% CI 13.2 to 21.0 days).
Conclusion:
Male sex, obesity, tobacco use, diabetes mellitus, steroid use history, previous knee surgery history, professional athletes, revision surgery, hamstring autografts, concomitant lateral extra-articular tenodesis and a long operation time may increase the risk of surgical site infections after ACLR. Although the risk of surgical site infections after ACLR is low, raising awareness and implementing effective preventions for risk factors are priorities for clinicians to reduce the incidence of surgical site infections due to its seriousness.
More Related Videos
05:07Author Spotlight: Implementing the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Concept in Rehabilitation Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Published on: March 1, 2024
06:27Author Spotlight: Investigating Early Events and Long-Term Effects of ACL Injuries for Osteoarthritis Progression
Published on: September 29, 2023
Related Concept Videos
Peripheral Artery Disease V: Postoperative Nursing Management
Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...
Aneurysm IV: Nursing Management
Aneurysm III: Interprofessional Care