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.