Rate of infection after carpal tunnel release surgery and effect of antibiotic prophylaxis.

J Hand Surg Am

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Southern California Permanente Medical Group, Kaiser Anaheim Medical Center, Anaheim, CA 92806, USA.

Published: February 2010

AI Article Synopsis

  • The study aimed to assess the rate of postoperative wound infections and the role of prophylactic antibiotics in carpal tunnel release surgeries.
  • Data from 3003 surgeries were reviewed, showing a low overall infection rate with no significant difference in infections between patients who received antibiotics and those who did not.
  • The findings suggest that routine use of prophylactic antibiotics in this procedure may not be necessary, as it did not significantly lower the risk of infection, even in diabetic patients.

Article Abstract

Purpose: To determine the rate of postoperative wound infection and the association with prophylactic antibiotic use in uncomplicated carpal tunnel release surgery.

Methods: We performed a multicenter, retrospective review of all the carpal tunnel release procedures performed between January 1, 2005, and August 30, 2007. Data reviewed included the use of prophylactic antibiotics, diabetic status, and the occurrence of postoperative wound infection. We determined the overall antibiotic usage rate and analyzed the correlation between antibiotic use and the development of postoperative wound infection.

Results: The rate of surgical site infections in the 3003 patients who underwent carpal tunnel release surgery (group A) was 11. Antibiotic usage data were available for 2336 patients (group B). Six patients without prophylactic antibiotics had infection, as did 5 patients with prophylactic antibiotics. This difference was not statistically significant. Of the 11 surgical site infections, 4 were deep (organ/space) and 7 superficial (incisional). The number of patients with diabetes in the overall study population was 546, 3 of whom had infections. This was not statistically different from the nondiabetic population infection rate (8 patients).

Conclusions: The overall infection rate after carpal tunnel release surgery is low. In addition, the deep (organ/space) infection rate is much lower than previously reported. Antibiotic use did not decrease the risk of infection in this study population, including patients with diabetes. The routine use of antibiotic prophylaxis in carpal tunnel release surgery is not indicated. Surgeons should carefully consider the risks and benefits of routinely using prophylactic antibiotics in carpal tunnel release surgery.

Type Of Study/level Of Evidence: Therapeutic III.

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Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jhsa.2009.11.012DOI Listing

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