A two-stage retention débridement protocol for acute periprosthetic joint infections.
BACKGROUND
Due to the historically poor infection control rates with débridement and component retention for acute periprosthetic infections we developed a new approach for treating acute periprosthetic total joint infections: initial débridement with prosthesis retention and placement of antibiotic-impregnated cement beads followed by a second débridement within 7 days, at which time the beads are removed and new modular parts inserted. Intravenous antibiotics were used for 6 weeks followed by oral antibiotics. Depending on the clinical situation, antibiotics are discontinued or in selected patients continued indefinitely.


OBJECTIVE
We determined the ability of this two-stage débridement to control infection.


METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 20 patients who underwent this technique; 2 had postoperative and 18 had hematogenous infections. The primary outcome measure was the infection control. The minimum followup was 1 year (mean, 3.5 years; range, 1.2-7.5 years).


RESULTS
Two of the 20 patients had persistent infection. There were no failures in the acute postoperative group (0 of 2) and two of 18 in the acute hematogenous group. Of the 18 patients without evidence of persistent infection, 10 were no longer on antibiotics at the most recent followup and eight were treated with long-term antibiotics due to compromised host status.


CONCLUSIONS
The control of infection in 18 of 20 patients using this technique compares favorably with historical success rates, which range from 24% to 100%. Further research is required to analyze the individual contribution of débridement technique, the use of serial débridements, local depot antibiotics, and combination antibiotic therapy on short-term infection control rates and the long-term persistent control of periprosthetic infection.


METHODS
Level IV, therapeutic study. See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of level of evidence.
Estes
Chris S
CS
Banner Good Samaritan Orthopaedic Residency Program, Phoenix, AZ, USA.
Beauchamp
Chris P
CP
Clarke
Henry D
HD
Spangehl
Mark J
MJ
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy*; D001843:Bone Cements; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003646:Debridement; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D005260:Female; D006622:Hip Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D007595:Joint Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000382:microbiology; D007720:Knee Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000382:microbiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy*; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy*; D017211:Treatment Failure
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001843:Bone Cements