Prophylactic antibiotics against early and late deep infections after total hip replacements.

A review with a longer observation period is performed of a previously published double-blind investigation of the prophylatic value of cloxacillin against late infections after total hip replacements; In addition, a retrospective patient material is examined. The total material consisted of 1065 total hips. 15.4 per cent deep, late infections were found in the group without prophylaxis and 20 per cent in the one with prophylaxis. The frequency of haematogenous deep infection was estimated to be less than 1 per cent.