Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 24, 2026

Effects of Mechanical Methods Used in Peri-implantitis Treatment on Implant Surface Decontamination and Roughness
Published on: March 14, 2025
Clean Air, Safe Joints: Optimizing Operating Theatre Air Quality to Reduce Surgical Site and Periprosthetic Joint
Jurek Rafal Tomasz Pietrzak1, Dyllan Brett Geldenhuys1, Allan Roy Sekeitto1
1Department of Orthopedics University of the Witwatersrand.
Abstract:
Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) remains one of the most devastating complications of total joint arthroplasty (TJA), with profound clinical, economic and psychosocial consequences. While modern operating theatres are designed to reduce microbial load, there remains ongoing debate about the role of laminar airflow (LAF), turbulent ventilation, high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) systems, ultraviolet adjuncts and surgical helmet systems (SHS) in mitigating infection risk. This narrative review synthesizes current evidence on airborne contamination, environmental controls and adjunctive measures in orthopaedic theatres. It highlights key advances in monitoring (e.g., particle counts vs. microbiological sampling), the impact of human behaviour on contamination and integrates findings with patient risk factors, operative efficiency and seasonality. It further examines economic and regulatory perspectives, providing a holistic framework for future directions in infection prevention.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Transmission-based Precautions II: Airborne and Protective Environment
Airborne precautions:
Use airborne precautions when treating patients known or suspected to have diseases that spread through the air—for example, tuberculosis or measles. These organisms are present in smaller droplets expelled by an infected person and...
Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
Suctioning the Oropharyngeal Airway
After assembling the equipment, the nurse should practice hand hygiene and don appropriate PPE according to infection control guidelines to avoid the...
Suctioning the Nasopharyngeal Airway
Equipment Required
Tracheostomy Suctioning I: Pre-Procedural Steps
Equipment Required
First, gather all necessary equipment: a sterile suction catheter, a sterile disposable container, sterile gloves, a towel or...
Asepsis

