Dilute Betadine Lavage in the Prevention of Postoperative Infection

Infections in total knee arthroplasty are still a major source of morbidity and mortality in Orthopaedics. They often necessitate long term antibiotics, reoperation, and can lead to further complications such as sepsis or even death. Infection prevention remains one of the primary goals of an orthopedic surgeon. While most sources report the infection rate for primary total knee arthroplasty to be less than 1%, the reported rate for infection in revision total knee arthroplasties has been reported to be as high as 5.6%. Despite steps taken towards infection prevention such as proper administration of preoperative antibiotics, strict adherence to sterile methods, and meticulous sterile preparation of the surgical site; infection remains higher in the total knee revision arthroplasty patient population when compared to primary total knee arthroplasty. A dilute betadine lavage (0.35% to 1% povidone iodine) prior to surgical closure has been shown in general surgical procedures as well as orthopaedic spine surgeries to reduce the infection rate in their patients, but this has not been examined in total joint arthroplasty.

The study will enroll patients who are scheduled to undergo a revision total knee arthroplasty. Patients will be randomized into two groups. The treatment group will receive a dilute betadine lavage prior to surgical closure for 3 minutes followed by 2000ml of sterile saline irrigation and the control group will receive the 2000ml sterile saline lavage alone. All other treatment will be standard of care.

Subjects will then be followed for one year post surgery for infection, as defined by Appendix 1, at intervals of 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, and one year from the date of surgery. During these visits patients will receive standard post operative care which includes infection screening. If an infection is clinically suspected with symptoms such as warmth and erythema over the joint, reduced mobility of the joint, and increasing pain at the joint, then infection data will be collected which will consist of a Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate, C-Reactive Protein levels and a synovial fluid sample will be taken for white blood cell count and bacterial culture.