Preferences of surgeons in total knee and hip arthroplasty, and operating room facilities in Turkey: a survey

Objectives: This study aims to determine the pre- and postoperative approaches of orthopedic surgeons and operative room environment facilities in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and total hip arthroplasty (THA) in Turkey. Materials and methods: Data for this study were collected through a questionnaire completed by 234 physicians randomly identified from the database of Turkish Society of Orthopedics and Traumatology. The questionnaire comprised 19 questions investigating the operative room environment, demographic characteristics of surgeons, laboratory and radiologic analyses required by surgeons in pre- and postoperative patient evaluation, and management of postoperative complications. Results: In Turkey, 48% of the operating rooms where TKA and THA are performed lack laminar airflow, while 35% lack HEPA filters. Only 20.5% of surgeons continue antibiotic prophylaxis for postoperative 24 hours. Low molecular weight heparins are the most preferred anticoagulant (86%) for thromboembolism prophylaxis. While all surgeons perform primary TKA or THA, only 63.7% perform revision TKA or THA. Of the surgeons, 84.6% do not recommended antibiotic prophylaxis before dental or urologic procedures in patients who were performed TKA or THA. Conclusion: In Turkey, although consensus has been built on many issues regarding TKA and THA, different approaches are adopted based on academic position, duration of specialty, and employer institution.