Tumors were resected from:
(1) femur
(2) tibia
(3) humerus
(4) other sites
Consequences of infection of an orthopedic device:
(1) amputation
(2) prolonged antibiotic therapy
(3) poor functional outcome
(4) surgical revision
(5) replacement of the prosthesis
Risk factors associated with infection of the orthopedic devices:
(1) surgical site infection(s)
(2) Afro-American race
(3) tibial device
where:
• I did not see antibiotic prophylaxis listed in the variables evaluated. Patients received broad-spectrum antibiotics in the perioperative period (page 603).
• The presence of infected bone at the site would increase the risk of recurrence.
• The patients evaluated seem to have been only Caucasians and Afro-Americans, and other ethnic groups were not included in the evaluation.
Reducing the risk of surgical site infection (scrupulous technique, prophylactic antibiotic therapy, other) can help reduce the frequency of this serious complication.
