Objective: To report the outcomes and cost-benefit analysis of preclosure povidone-iodine lavage (PrePIL) used to reduce the risk of infection following total hip replacement (THR) surgery.
Study design: Retrospective study.
Animals: One thousand six hundred ninety-nine dogs, 17 cats.
Methods: The medical records of 2213 consecutive THR cases were reviewed to determine the incidence of infection. The last 102 were treated with PrePIL using a commercially sourced 0.035% povidone-iodine solution. Postoperative infection rates were compared. A cost-benefit analysis was used to calculate if a PrePIL protocol is economically feasible.
Results: Twenty-one THRs out of 2111 (0.99%) that did not have PrePIL developed infection. Infection occurred in none of the 102 PrePIL cases. Cost analysis revealed a PrePIL break-even cost at $49.74 and a break-even infection rate of 0.949%. No complications were identified related to the use of PrePIL.
Conclusion: Preclosure povidone-iodine lavage appeared to be efficacious in lowering THR infection rates, and it appeared to be safe for this use based on our 102 consecutive cases. The cost of the PrePIL was minimal compared to the overall cost to resolve THR infection and the potential effect on hip function prognosis. The math formulas developed can be used by surgeons to calculate cost effectiveness and break-even cost based on their THR infection rate, and to compare to the cost of a THR revision and infection resolution.
Clinical significance: At current costs, PrePIL can be used in 2415 THR cases at a similar cost of a single revision surgery and resolution of a periprosthetic infection.
