Authors' objectives:

The aim of this review was to undertake a systematic review of the research evidence on the comparative efficacy and cost-effectiveness of antimicrobial prophylaxis used for patients undergoing a THR.

Authors' recommendations: Antimicrobial prophylaxis is effective for the prevention of SWI in both TKR and THR surgery. The efficacy of many of the regimens studied may be similar, and available data make it difficult to identify an optimal regimen. There is no convincing evidence to suggest that the new-generation cephalosporins are more effective at preventing postoperative SWI infections in THR/TKR surgery than the first-generation cephalosporins. Similarly, there is no convincing evidence to suggest that extending the duration of a regimen beyond 24 hours postoperatively reduces the number of SWI following THR/TKR surgery. Single-dose or short-term administration is not only as effective as long-term administration, but will lower overall costs and may reduce the risk of toxicity and the development of bacterial resistance.

Authors' methods: Systematic review

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: http://www.hta.ac.uk/1067

Year Published: 1999

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: England, United Kingdom

Organisation Name: NIHR Health Technology Assessment programme

Contact Address: NIHR Journals Library, National Institute for Health and Care Research, Evaluation, Trials and Studies Coordinating Centre, Alpha House, University of Southampton Science Park, Southampton SO16 7NS, UK

Contact Name: journals.library@nihr.ac.uk

Contact Email: journals.library@nihr.ac.uk

Copyright: 2009 Queen's Printer and Controller of HMSO