Bacteria in hip surgery. A study of routine aerobic and anaerobic cultivation from skin and closed suction wound drains.

One hundred and seven patients with closed suction wound drains after hip surgery were investigated with regard to bacteria in the drain. In one-third of the cases bacterial contamination of the wound was found. In more than half the total number of cases the bacteria in the wound were not identical with those found on the skin, either pre- or post-operatively. Anaerobe bacteria occurred only in one case. Penicillin administration considerably reduced the frequency of positive cultures. These findings support the prophylactic use of antibiotics in the prevention of late infections in endoprosthesis operations even when the early infection rate is satisfactorily low.