The draining surgical wound post total hip and knee arthroplasty: what are my options? A narrative review

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) are successful orthopaedic procedures with an ever-increasing demand annually worldwide, and persistent wound drainage (PWD) is a well-known complication following these procedures. Despite many definitions for PWD having been proposed, a validated description remains elusive. PWD is a risk factor for periprosthetic joint infection (PJI). PJI is a devastating complication of THA and TKA, and a leading cause of revision surgery with dramatic morbidity and mortality and a significant burden on health socioeconomics. Prevention of PJI has become an essential focus in THA and TKA. Understanding the pathophysiology, risk factors and subsequent management of PWD may aid in decreasing the rate of PJI. Risk factors of PWD can be divided into modifiable and non-modifiable patient risk factors, pharmacological and surgical risk factors. No gold standard treatment protocol to address PWD exists; however, non-operative options progressing to surgical interventions have been described. The aim of this study was to review the current literature regarding PWD and consolidate the risk factors and management strategies available. Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2021;6:872-880. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.6.200054