Table 1 Study Characteristics

Buttaro [11]

231

62^*

52%

Argentina

Hip arthroplasty

0.4 (0.8 vs. 2.5)

Prolene 3–0

Continuous

15

45 days

Minor complications when medical treatment is required, and major complications when surgical treatment is required

Eggers [12]

38

68*

N.I.

USA

Knee arthroplasty

15.7 (5.2 vs. 26.3)

Monocryl 4–0

Continuous**

N.I.

6 weeks

N.I.

Graham [13]

20

57–82†

90%

UK

Knee arthroplasty

0

Vicryl 4–0

Continuous**

N.I.

7 days

N.I.

Hlubek [14]

72

69*

71%

Czech Republic

Knee arthroplasty

1.4 (2.6 vs. 0)

Ethilon 2–0

Interrupted

N.I.

6 weeks

N.I.

Khan [15]

127

70†

45%

Australia

Hip and Knee arthroplasty

7.0 (11.1 vs. 3.1)

Monocryl 3–0

Continuous

10

12 weeks

Positive culture or evidence of cellulitis

Mallee [6]

535

70*

33%

Netherlands

Hip arthroplasty

4.3 (6.0 vs. 2.6)

Absorbable and non-absorbable Ethilon

Continuous and Donati (interrupted)

14

One year

Primary outcome SSI. At least 1 of the following: (1) purulent drainage, (2) organisms isolated (3) at least 1 of the signs or symptoms of infection, (4) diagnosis of superficial incisional SSI made by surgeon. Secondary outcome deep infection. At least 1 of the following: (1) purulent drainage from the deep incision; (2) a deep incision spontaneously dehisces or is deliberately opened by a surgeon when the patient has at least 1 of the following signs or symptoms: fever (> 38 °C), localized pain or tenderness, unless incision is culture-negative; (3) an abscess or other evidence of infection involving the deep incision is found on direct examination, during reoperation, or by histopathologic or radiologic examination; (4) diagnosis of deep incisional.

Nepal [17]

62

70*

82%

Thailand

Knee arthroplasty

0

Monocryl 3–0

Continuous

14

3 months

N.I.

Wyles [16]

45

70*

67%

USA

Knee arthroplasty

2.2 (0 vs. 3.3)

Monocryl 3–0

Continuous and Donati (interrupted)

14

3 months

N.I.