Nationwide trends of surgical site infections rates after primary shoulder arthroplasty

Background Surgical site infections (SSI) are relatively uncommon, but can be debilitating complications following shoulder arthroplasty. Infections can result in further complications including sepsis and revision surgery. Methods The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was queried for all total and reverse total shoulder arthroplasty cases (Current Procedural Terminology code 23472) between 2012 and 2015 yielding 8438 total cases. The outcome of interest was 30-day SSI incidence, defined as a superficial and/or deep wound infection. The infection incidence for each year was calculated. Results The total number of primary shoulder arthroplasties increased from 2012 to 2015 (1191 to 3227; 271% increase). Over the 4-year study period, the incidence of SSIs following TSA was 0.40%. A downward trend in SSI rates was observed over time. An inverse relationship between SSI rates and year of surgery (R2−0.17) was observed; however, this was not statistically significant (P> .05). Infection rates in 2015 decreased by 48% when compared to 2012 (0.31 vs. 0.50%, P> .05). A larger decrease in SSI rate (76%) was noted between 2015 and 2013 (0.31 vs. 0.69%, P> .05). Conclusion SSI rates following shoulder arthroplasty declined from 2012 to 2015 by 48%. There was an inverse relationship between SSI rate and year of surgery, with the lowest infection rate found to be in the most recent year studied. It is hoped that continued measures will further promulgate these downward trends of these devastating complications. Level of Evidence Level IV; Retrospective Case Series