Chlorhexidine irrigation during TSA may decrease rates of positive deep C. acnes cultures

Key takeaways:

Subcutaneous chlorhexidine irrigation during shoulder arthroplasty decreased positive deep C. acnes culture rates.

Normal saline irrigation had more than double the risk of C. acnes contamination.

Perspective from Tim R. Lenters, MD

Patients who received subcutaneous 0.05% chlorhexidine gluconate antisepsis during primary total shoulder arthroplasty had a significantly decreased rate of positive deep cultures of Cutibacterium acnes , according to a study.

“Using a relatively small amount (100 mL) of a low-cost, low-barrier product, like 0.05% chlorhexidine, was shown to make a significant impact on deep culture rates,” Hafiz F. Kassam, MD, of Hoag Orthopedic Institute, in California, told Healio. “The hope is that this would have a concurrent clinical effect