Perioperative steroid injection in elbow arthroscopy

Acta Orthop Belg. 2024 Mar;90(1):67-71. doi: 10.52628/90.1.12493.

Abstract

The goal of the present study was to evaluate the incidence of infection after perioperative intra-articular steroid injection during elbow arthroscopy. Starting from May 2019, we prospectively included all patients that underwent an elbow arthroscopy for various indications. All patients received preoperative antibiotics intravenously and a corticosteroid injection immediately after portal closure. Patients who needed ligamentous repair and aged below 18 years old were excluded. Final follow up of all patients was 3 months. In total, 108 elbow arthroscopies were performed in 100 patients. No major complications and 1 minor complication were seen. One patient developed a seroma that resolved spontaneously after 14 days without intervention or antibiotics. In this patient group, a perioperative corticosteroid injection following elbow arthroscopy did not increase the chance of infection.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / administration & dosage
  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / adverse effects
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Arthroscopy* / adverse effects
  • Arthroscopy* / methods
  • Elbow Joint* / surgery
  • Female
  • Glucocorticoids / administration & dosage
  • Humans
  • Injections, Intra-Articular
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Perioperative Care / methods
  • Prospective Studies
  • Surgical Wound Infection / epidemiology
  • Surgical Wound Infection / prevention & control
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones
  • Glucocorticoids