Prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus Infections in the Implantation of Orthopedic Devices in a Third-Level Hospital: An Observational Cohort Study

Using orthopedic devices or prosthetic joints to treat various conditions is expected in a Traumatology and Orthopedics Unit. Recently, the materials used to build these different devices have evolved; however, pathogens can still infect these materials. Additionally, the immune system has limitations when defending against these pathogens, which results in bacterial infections like <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>, <i>Methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus</i> (<i>MSSA</i>) and <i>Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus</i> (<i>MRSA</i>). A total of 276 patients who attended the Traumatology and Orthopedics Unit of our hospital from 1 June 2018 to 1 June 2019, were included in the present study. Our study analyzed the incidence of <i>S. aureus</i> and other bacterial pathogens in the surgical sites of patients with orthopedic implants, as well as the most used types of implants and implant materials. The specimens obtained from the surgical sites of the patients were cultured in anaerobic and aerobic media for subsequent identification using their phenotypic characteristics. Subsequently, antibiotic susceptibility tests were performed to establish the appropriate treatment. The primary pathogens identified were <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> (26.4%), followed by <i>Escherichia coli</i> (21.0%) and <i>Staphylococcus epidermidis</i> (15.8%). The most commonly used implants were plates (41.7%), followed by endomedullary nails (20%), Kirschner wires (14.1%), and fixators (10.1%). As for the anatomical regions of the implants, the most frequent sites were the legs, followed by the thighs, wrists, and ankles. The pathogens were more susceptible to ciprofloxacin (95%), clindamycin (89%), and cefotaxime (86%). <i>S. aureus</i> is the primary infectious agent in our hospital, with an incidence of 26.4% after the placement of orthopedic implants. Although its incidence was lower compared to other tertiary hospitals, it is necessary to improve aseptic techniques in such a way as to reduce the incidence of this pathogen further.