Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41121350›Full record

SynthesisJournal of orthopaedic surgery and research2025

The role of surgical helmet systems in reducing infection rate: a systematic review.

Tan Qing Hang, Amirzeb Aurangzeb, Omar Mohamed Hussein El Dishish, Charles Kon Kam King, Moo Ing How

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Journal of orthopaedic surgery and research, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing 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

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

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.

Tan Qing HangDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, Changi General Hospital, 2 Simei St 3, Singapore, 529889, Singapore. tanqinghang94@outlook.com.
Amirzeb AurangzebDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, Changi General Hospital, 2 Simei St 3, Singapore, 529889, Singapore.
Omar Mohamed Hussein El DishishDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, Changi General Hospital, 2 Simei St 3, Singapore, 529889, Singapore.
Charles Kon Kam KingDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, Changi General Hospital, 2 Simei St 3, Singapore, 529889, Singapore.
Moo Ing HowDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, Changi General Hospital, 2 Simei St 3, Singapore, 529889, Singapore.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundPeriprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a severe complication of arthroplasty. Surgical helmet system (SHS) was introduced to reduce airborne contamination however their efficacy remains controversial. This systematic review evaluates on the role of SHS in reduction PJI, explores contamination mechanisms and the impact of design and operational factors.

methodsA systematic review was performed according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines across PubMed, Medline and Cochrane Library databases from 1950 to 2024. Studies were included if they investigated SHS in arthroplasty and reported on infection rates, contamination or SHS performance. Data extraction focused on study design, SHS type, infection outcomes and contamination mechanisms and whether paper is supporting SHS in reducing PJI. Effective Public Health Practice Project (EPHPP) quality tool was used to assess methodological quality of each included papers.

resultsTwenty studies met inclusion criteria. Five large registry studies evaluated SHS effectiveness in reducing PJI, with conflicting outcomes: one showed significantly lower infection rates with SHS, while others found no difference or a potential increase in risk. Ten studies assessed contamination pathways, with several reporting higher microbial emission and wound contamination associated with SHS use. Design and operational factors significantly influenced contamination, with delayed fan activation and use of sealed or zippered gowns associated with reduced contamination levels.

conclusionEvidence on SHS effectiveness in reducing PJI remains inconclusive. While modern systems may offer benefits, improper use can increase contamination. Optimized protocols including delayed fan activation, appropriate gowning techniques, and regular helmet decontamination are essential. SHS should complement, not replace, established infection prevention strategies. High-quality prospective studies are needed to define best practices for SHS implementation.

Indexed as

Head Protective DevicesProsthesis-Related InfectionsHumansArthroplastyJoint replacementProsthetic joint infectionSurgical helmet

Identifiers

PMID41121350
PMCPMC12538988

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

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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.