Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41089909›Full record

ReviewJournal of spine surgery (Hong Kong)2025

Novel citrate-based wound irrigation system disrupting biofilms and preventing orthopaedic surgery infections: technique guide and systematic review.

Mitchell K Ng, Ahmed Emara, Mena Salman, Paul G Mastrokostas, Afshin E Razi

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Journal of spine surgery (Hong Kong), 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Mitchell K NgDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, Maimonides Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA.
Ahmed EmaraDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA.
Mena SalmanDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Toledo College of Medicine, Toledo, OH, USA.
Paul G MastrokostasDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY, USA.
Afshin E RaziDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, Maimonides Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Surgical site infections (SSIs), biofilm formation, and periprosthetic joint infections (PJIs) are critical complications in orthopaedic surgery, impacting patient outcomes and increasing healthcare costs. While evidence supports the efficacy of a novel citrate-based irrigation solution in joint arthroplasty, its applications in spine surgery remain underexplored. This study aims to evaluate literature supporting its role in infection prevention for joint arthroplasty, and explores potential indications, benefits, and application techniques for spine surgery. Methods: A systematic review was conducted following preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines, searching PubMed-MEDLINE and Cochrane Library databases (January 1, 2020 to November 1, 2024). Studies on the safety/efficacy of citrate-based irrigation solutions were included, focusing on infection rates, biofilm disruption, and recovery outcomes. Quality was assessed using the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies (MINORS) and Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Out of 64 studies screened, nine met inclusion criteria. Results: The reviewed studies demonstrated that the solution disrupts biofilms by chelating metal ions critical for biofilm stability, reducing microbial loads by up to six logs for planktonic bacteria and four to eight logs for biofilms. Clinical findings in joint arthroplasty included reduced infection rates, reduced swelling, increased range of motion, and faster opioid weaning. Applications for use in spine surgery include multi-level fusions, posterior cervical surgeries, deformity corrections, and procedures in patients with infection risk factors like diabetes or smoking. Techniques include pre-implantation cleansing, periodic irrigation during surgery, and extended antimicrobial protection with a no-rinse protocol to prevent biofilm formation on hardware and tissues. Conclusions: The citrate-based solution shows promise for infection prevention in orthopedic and spine surgeries, offering biofilm disruption and reduced toxicity. Future randomized trials are necessary to confirm its safety and efficacy, with the potential for broader adoption in surgical protocols.

Indexed as

biofilmscitrate-based irrigation systemSpine surgerysurgical site infections (SSIs)

Identifiers

PMID41089909
PMCPMC12516406

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.