title: Synovectomy, debridement, and continuous irrigation for infected total knee arthroplasty.
abstract: Since 1990, a total of ten joints in nine patients with infected total knee arthroplasty have been treated in our department within 21 days of the onset of infection. Their radiographs showed no evidence of implant loosening or "moth-eaten" appearance. They underwent synovectomy, debridement, and continuous irrigation without implant removal. Continuous irrigation was maintained for 7-29 days. It was possible to retain implants in eight joints of seven patients. Two joints of two patients were removed. Pain disappeared in all eight joints in which the implants were retained. Four patients could walk with one cane; one patient could walk with one crutch. Range of motion in five joints remained over 100 degrees. We recommend synovectomy, debridement, and continuous irrigation to cure an early stage infection of total knee arthroplasty.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, 1-1 Idaigaoka, Oita, 879-5593, Japan. htsumura@med.oita-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tsumura
authors.forename: Shinichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ikeda
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ono
authors.forename: Ichiro
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Itonaga
authors.forename: Hirofumi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Taira
authors.forename: Takehiko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Torisu
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003646:Debridement / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D000074402:Synovectomy; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome