Chlorhexidine Versus Betadine in Preventing Colonization of Femoral Nerve Catheters After Total Joint Arthroplasty (TJA)
Chlorhexidine Versus Betadine in Preventing Colonization of Femoral Nerve Catheters After Total Joint Arthroplasty (TJA)
Continuous femoral nerve block (CFNB) techniques continue to be increasingly used in the
 management of postoperative pain after total knee arthroplasty. Although the risk of full
 blown infection with CFNB has been poorly defined, the rate of catheter colonization after
 antisepsis with povidone-iodine has been demonstrated to be high (Cuivillion et al. showed
 the rate of colonization to be 57% after 48 hours). Recently, several anecdotal case reports
 have demonstrated severe infectious complications including psoas abscess and necrotizing
 fasciitis associated with continuous nerve block techniques. As the use of CFNB techniques
 increase in popularity, infectious complications will undoubtedly become more common.

 The American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine recommends the routine use of
 antiseptic solutions with an alcohol base for skin disinfection before peripheral regional
 techniques due to their penetration of the stratum corneum and their rapid and prolonged
 effect. Chlorhexidine(chloraprep) has been proven to be better than povidone iodine solution
 for skin preparation before epidural catheter and intravascular device insertion (Kinirons et
 al., Ostrander et al., Mimoz et al.,). The goal of this prospective trial therefore is to
 determine if an alcoholic solution of 0.5% chlorhexidine is more effective than an aqueous
 solution of 10% povidone-iodine in reducing catheter colonization and reducing skin flora
 associated with short term ( 48 hours) postoperative continuous femoral nerve catheter
 placement. The investigators will also compare the ability of chloraprep and betadine
 disinfection at the time of catheter placement to prevent bacterial contamination of the
 continuous femoral catheter.
After antisepsis four different cultures will be analyzed:

 1. The femoral nerve catheter will be removed after 48 hours and a culture of the distal
 tip of the femoral nerve catheter will be performed between the 2 arms.

 2. immediately before skin antisepsis, a culture of the the skin will be performed to
 identify baseline skin flora.

 3. immediately after antisepsis with both betadine and chlorhexidine, a culture of the skin
 will be performed to assess antiseptic efficacy.

 4. just prior to removal of the femoral nerve catheter, a culture of the skin/catheter
 interface will be performed between the 2 arms.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  ASA 1-3,

 -  Undergoing primary total knee arthroplasty.

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Hypersensitivity/allergy to antiseptics,

 -  Recent opioid/alcohol abuse,

 -  Presence of contraindications to regional anesthesia,

 -  Coagulation disorder,

 -  Diabetic/femoral neuropathy,

 -  Prior surgery to inguinal area,

 -  Patient refusal.