Smoking Is a Risk Factor for Wound Complications after Direct Anterior Hip Arthroplasty with Mesh Tape Closure

OBJECTIVE To determine what factors increase the risk of early wound complications in patients undergoing direct anterior total hip arthroplasty whose wounds were closed with 2-octyl cyanoacrylate with mesh. METHODS This study was a retrospective review of 75 consecutive patients who underwent direct anterior total hip arthroplasty closed with 2-octyl cyanoacrylate with mesh. MAIN RESULTS Of 29 patients who were smokers, five patients (17.2%) developed a wound complication, whereas out of 46 nonsmokers, only one patient (2.2%) developed a wound complication (P = .029). CONCLUSIONS The authors recommend a closure technique that sufficiently protects the wound during healing, as well as preoperative patient optimization and smoking cessation.