Benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin topical skin preparation decreases Propionibacterium acnes colonization in shoulder arthroscopy

Abstract

Propionibacterium acnes is a gram-positive anaerobe that can lead to devastating postoperative shoulder infections. The objective of this study was to investigate whether a benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin preoperative skin preparation reduces the incidence of P. acnes colonization during shoulder arthroscopy. Sixty-five shoulder arthroscopy patients were prospectively enrolled. A skin culture specimen was taken at the preoperative visit from standard arthroscopic portal sites. Topical benzoyl peroxide 5% and clindamycin 1.2% (BPO/C) gel was applied to the shoulder every night before surgery. Skin culture was repeated in the operating room before preparation with chlorhexidine gluconate. Shoulder arthroscopy proceeded, with final culture specimens obtained from within the shoulder. P. acnes skin colonization remained similar to prior studies at 47.7% (31 of 65 patients.) With >1 application, BPO/C was 78.9% (15 of 19 patients) effective in eliminating P. acnes superficial colonization. With 1 application, it was 66.7% (8 of 12 patients) effective in eliminating superficial colonization. Deep colonization was reduced to 3.1% (2 of 65 patients) compared with previous studies of 15% to 20% (P = .006). BPO/C was 100% effective at decreasing deep colonization with >1 application. P. acnes skin colonization is high at arthroscopic shoulder portals, especially in men. Despite standard skin preparation and prophylactic antibiotics, the rate of joint inoculation is much higher than the rate of infection reported in the literature. BPO/C effectively reduces P. acnes colonization in shoulder arthroscopy. It should be considered for use before shoulder procedures with a time-related trend of >1 application.