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Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair without antibiotic prophylaxis does not increase the infection rate

  • SHOULDER
  • Published:
Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy Aims and scope

Abstract

Purpose

Rotator cuff repair is a commonly performed shoulder procedure. In the past 20 years, there has been a shift from mini-open towards arthroscopic repair, and many units exclusively use arthroscopic techniques for rotator cuff surgery. The aim of this study was to find out whether withholding antibiotics had any effect on the infection rate in patients undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of 336 consecutive patients with an arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (RCR) and a minimum 2-year follow-up was performed. The control group received prophylactic antibiotics (controls) and the cases of interest did not receive perioperative antibiotics. A power analysis was performed according to literature regarding infection proportions. The primary outcome was an infection (superficial or deep) in the operated shoulder.

Results

There were 336 patients who underwent a RCR. Two-hundred-and-twelve in the control group and 124 in the non-antibiotic group. Average ages were 57.3 ± 12.5 and 56.8 ± 13.2 years in each group, respectively. The follow-up times ranged from 24 to 76 months. Equipment used and surgical techniques were identical, only operating times were statistically different between the groups (control 77.2 ± 41.3 min versus no antibiotic cases 52.9 ± 16.7 min) (p = 0.000009). There was no recorded infection in either group.

Conclusion

Infection following arthroscopic surgery is uncommon. Small incisions, constant lavage with saline, minimal hardware insertion and short operating times all combine to minimise the risks. Current results point towards no detriment in withholding prophylactic antibiotics in low-risk patients undergoing routine rotator cuff repair surgery. Therefore, judicious use of prophylactic antibiotics in patients undergoing this procedure is advocated to prevent potential harm to those it is administered to.

Level of evidence

Level III.

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Data availability

All data has been presented in this manuscript. The data are anonymous. Further data are not available.

Code availability

Not applicable.

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Author information

Author notes

  1. Njalalle Baraza and Maciej J. K. Simon contributed equally to this manuscript and therefore share first authorship.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedics, Division of Arthroscopy, Footbridge Clinic for Integrated Orthopaedic Care Footbridge Clinic for Integrated Orthopaedic Care, University of British Columbia, 221-181 Keefer Pl, Vancouver, BC, V6B 6C1, Canada

    Njalalle Baraza, Maciej J. K. Simon & Jordan M. Leith

  2. The Aga Khan University Hospital, 3rd Parklands Avenue, Nairobi, 00101, Kenya

    Njalalle Baraza

  3. Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Arnold-Heller-Strasse 3, 24105, Kiel, Germany

    Maciej J. K. Simon

Authors
  1. Njalalle Baraza
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Contributions

NB and JML developed the project. NB and MJKS performed the data collection. NB, MJKS and JML analysed and interpreted the data. NB, MJKS and JML wrote the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Maciej J. K. Simon.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

Jordan Leith teaches intermittently courses for Arthrex. All other authors certify that they have no commercial associations (eg, consultancies, stock ownership, equity interest, patent/licencing arrangements, etc.) that might pose a conflict of interest in connection with the submitted manuscript.

Ethical approval

Ethics approval was obtained for the study from the University of British Columbia research ethics board (CREB H21-01045).

Informed consent

Informed consent for participation and publication was obtained from all participants. The study was carried in accordance with the latest declaration of Helsinki.

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Baraza, N., Simon, M.J.K. & Leith, J.M. Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair without antibiotic prophylaxis does not increase the infection rate. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 29, 3956–3960 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-021-06664-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-021-06664-y

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