Abstract
Surgical site infections (SSIs) and prosthetic joint infections (PJIs) remain significant challenges in orthopedic surgery, particularly in joint arthroplasty. Intraoperative irrigation is a widely used strategy for infection prevention, yet traditional solutions such as saline, povidone-iodine, hydrogen peroxide, and sodium hypochlorite are limited by cytotoxicity, short antimicrobial duration, and poor biofilm penetration. This review evaluates commonly used irrigation agents and highlights the growing evidence supporting a novel citrate-based solution as a potentially superior alternative. These agents combine broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, effective biofilm disruption through ionic chelation, and prolonged postoperative protection with minimal harm to host tissues. Early clinical studies and ongoing randomized trials have demonstrated promising results, including reductions in postoperative swelling, opioid use, and infection rates. As more data become available, citrate-based solutions may emerge as the preferred standard for intraoperative irrigation in orthopedic procedures.