Obesity is a major risk factor for prosthetic infection after primary hip arthroplasty

Abstract

The incidence of obesity and the number of hip arthroplasties being performed in Australia each year are increasing. Although uncommon, periprosthetic infection after surgery can have a devastating effect on patient outcomes. We therefore asked whether obesity correlated with periprosthetic infection after primary hip arthroplasty. We further asked whether variables such as patient comorbidities, operative time, blood transfusions, use of drains, and cementation practices correlated with periprosthetic infection. We hypothesized obesity was an independent risk factor for the development of acute periprosthetic infection after primary hip arthroplasty. We reviewed 1207 consecutive primary hip..