Hypothesis: This study investigates the rate of infectious and thromboembolic complications in shoulder arthroscopy and their association with pharmacologic prophylaxis.
Materials and methods: On behalf of the Italian Society for Knee Surgery, Arthroscopy, Sport Traumatology, Cartilage and Orthopaedic Technologies (SIGASCOT), we asked the members to complete an on-line Web survey about their experiences and strategies of prophylaxis in shoulder arthroscopy.
Results: In the period 2005-2006, 9385 surgeries were performed. We report 15 infections and 6 DVTs. The overall rate of infections was 0.0016 (1.6/1000) and the rate of DVTs was 0.0006 (0.6/1000)
Conclusion: The association between infection and antibiotic prophylaxis was significant (P=0.01); however, the risk of DVTs was not decreased with heparin prophylaxis.
Level of evidence: Level 3.