Perioperative steroid injection in elbow arthroscopy

Keywords:

elbow, arthroscopy, corticoid, steroid, infection


Published online: Apr 23 2024

https://doi.org/10.52628/90.1.12493

M. VANDERSTAPPEN1,2, L. VAN MELKEBEKE1, J. DUERINCKX1,3, P. CAEKEBEKE1,3,4

1 Hospital Oost-Limburg, Department or Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Genk, Belgium
2 University Hospitals Leuven, Department of Orthopaedics, Leuven, Belgium
3 University of Hasselt, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Hasselt, Belgium
4 University hospital Antwerp, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Antwerpen, Belgium

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.