James M, Khan WS, Nannaparaju MR, Bhamra JS, Morgan-Jones R. Current Evidence for the Use of Laminar Flow in Reducing Infection Rates in Total Joint Arthroplasty.
Open Orthop J 2015;
9:495-8. [PMID:
26587068 PMCID:
PMC4645891 DOI:
10.2174/1874325001509010495]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2014] [Revised: 04/23/2015] [Accepted: 05/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the introduction of laminar air flow in orthopaedic theatres by Sir John Charnley, it has widely become accepted as the standard during orthopaedic procedures such as joint arthroplasty. We present a review of available current literature for the use of laminar flow operating theatre ventilation during total joint arthroplasty and examines the effectiveness of laminar flow ventilated operating theatres in preventing post-operative wound infection. Results of our findings suggest that while bacterial and air particulate is reduced by laminar air flow systems, there is no conclusive effect on the reduction of post-operative wound infections following total joint arthroplasty. We conclude that a combination of strict aseptic technique, prophylactic antibiotics and good anaesthetic control during surgery remains crucial to reduce post-operative surgical infections.
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