Surgical-site infections, including deep-layer and superficial-layer wound infections, are common complications after total hip arthroplasty. Surgical infections lead to poor wound healing, increased hospital days, increased patient suffering and distress, higher costs, and even life-threatening events. Wound infections after total hip arthroplasty result in local pain, joint displacement, and reduced joint function. Compared with common bacterial infections, bacteria in the deep layer of the epidermis after total hip arthroplasty adhere to the metal prosthesis and bone cement, and may thus escape the immune system because of a lack of blood supply. Furthermore, the immune response contributes to the formation of a protective mucus layer on the prosthesis surface, and bacteria in this mucus layer may be protected from antibiotic intervention. Preventing surgical-site infection is thus an important factor determining the success of total hip arthroplasty. Measures to prevent surgical-site infection currently include instrument sterilization, protection of an aseptic area, and use of prophylactic antibacterial drugs, while reduced surgical-wound size and use of iodophor-impregnated antibacterial adhesive drapes have also been proposed to reduce infection.