Cefazolin use in patients who report a non-IgE mediated penicillin allergy: a retrospective look at adverse reactions in arthroplasty.

Background: A large number of patients presenting for total hip and knee arthroplasty report an allergy to penicillin. the reported incidence of cross reactions with cephalosporins in patients with penicillin allergy ranges from 3% to 18%. Perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis practices range from using cephalosporins to substituting clindamycin or vancomycin.