title: Infection after mini-open rotator cuff repair.
abstract: A consecutive case series from 2 institutions of patients with postoperative wound infections after mini-open rotator cuff repair was reviewed. Between 1991 and 2000, 360 patients underwent mini-open rotator cuff repair after arthroscopic subacromial decompression. Seven patients had postoperative infection develop (1.9%). All patients were men, with a mean age of 55 years (range, 40-64 years). Treatment included serial irrigation and debridement, long-term intravenous antibiotics, and revision rotator cuff repair. Mean follow-up after definitive treatment was 32 months (range, 12-57 months). Propionibacter acnes was present in 6 of 7 patients (86%) with infections. The initial rotator cuff repair was disrupted in 4 shoulders and intact in 3. A revision rotator cuff repair was performed at the final irrigation and debridement in all 4 shoulders. Results were 100% satisfactory. The mean American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons pain score improved from 7 (range, 6-9) preoperatively to 1 (range, 0-2). The mean final score was 95. Because these infections were noted to occur only in arthroscopically assisted rotator cuff repairs, a second preparation and draping were introduced as routine protocol. No postoperative infections have occurred in the ensuing 200 mini-open rotator cuff repairs.
authors.affiliation: New York Orthopaedic Hospital, New York Presbyterian Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA.
authors.forename: Mauricio F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Herrera
authors.forename: Greg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bauer
authors.forename: Fletcher
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Reynolds
authors.forename: Richard M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Wilk
authors.forename: Louis U
authors.initials: LU
authors.lastname: Bigliani
authors.forename: William N
authors.initials: WN
authors.lastname: Levine
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D010147:Pain Measurement; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D017006:Rotator Cuff / Q000601:surgery*; D000070636:Rotator Cuff Injuries; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents