[Decolonization for Staphylococcus aureus carriers in arthroplasty surgery after hip fracture].

OBJECTIVE: Staphylococcus aureus is the main causative agent of joint prosthesis infections. The decolonization of the carriers is effective in the prevention of the infections of the elective arthroplasties. The aim of this study is to evaluate if it is also in arthroplasties after hip fracture.

METHODS: Study in patients with hip fracture who underwent joint prosthesis from January 2011 to December 2015 with a protocol of S. aureus detection-decolonization with intranasal mupirocin and chlorhexidine baths. Patients between January 2009 and December 2010 were the comparison group.

RESULTS: In the intervention period, the study of colonization of S. aureus was performed in 307 patients, of whom 87 were positive (28.3%). The study period was completed by 267 patients, of whom two developed S. aureus infection, compared to six of 138 in the control group (0.7% vs 4.3%, RR 0.1, p = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS: In our study, S. aureus decolonization in patients with hip fracture decreased the incidence of joint prosthesis infection by this microorganism.