Perioperative or Postoperative Antibiotics? White Paper in Arthroplasty Today Gives AAHKS Position

The March issue of Arthroplasty Today published this week features a white paper, “Postoperative prophylactic antibiotics in total joint arthroplasty,” authored by Adolph J. Yates Jr., MD, stating the official AAHKS position. On May 3, 2017, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued their Guideline for Prevention of Surgical Site Infection that includes ordering perioperative antibiotics for patients undergoing total joint arthroplasty (TJA). Dr. Yates explains that AAHKS does not agree with the recommendation “because it contradicts current international standards of care with limited evidence and study. AAHKS still recommends postoperative antibiotics and recommends further research.” The paper includes a proposed solution, future and long-term focus and recommendations. Read this full-text article and others in the March issue of Arthroplasty Today.