Extended Antibiotics Fail to Prevent Joint Surgery Infections

Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a serious complication following joint replacement surgery, leading to increased morbidity, healthcare costs, and surgical revisions. Patients with risk factors such as obesity, diabetes, and autoimmune conditions are particularly vulnerable. While EOA has been proposed as a strategy to reduce PJI, its efficacy and potential risks, such as fostering antibiotic resistance or adverse events, remain uncertain. Clarifying EOA’s role could improve post-surgical care and inform clinical guidelines for populations at higher risk for PJI.

These findings suggest that EOA does not provide added protection against PJI in patients undergoing THA or TKA, even among populations at high risk due to conditions such as severe obesity. The lack of demonstrated benefit challenges the routine use of EOA and highlights the need to reconsider its role in clinical practice. However, its safety profile suggests that EOA does not pose substantial harm when prescribed.