Avoiding Postoperative Wound Complications in Total Joint Arthroplasty

Avoidance of early wound complications is critical to the success of total joint arthroplasty. The magnitude of postoperative complications can be as simple as quickly resolving wound drainage, to persistent wound drainage and full-thickness soft tissue necrosis. Persistent postoperative drainage and wound complications can lead to a devastating deep periprosthetic infection. Attention to several steps in the clinical and perioperative pathway should be addressed to avoid this complication including addressing modifiable patient risk factors, implementing meticulous surgical technique, and following an algorithmic approach in response to persistent wound drainage.