title: [Pediatric septic shoulder arthritis. Is routine arthrotomy still necessary?].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Arthrotomy is recommended as a routine treatment for childhood septic arthritis of the shoulder, although scientific evidence is lacking. Suggested alternatives are arthroscopic lavage, serial aspirations and a mere diagnostic aspiration.
  
  
  METHODS
  9 patients with septic arthritis of the shoulder aged 3 months to 12 years underwent a diagnostic aspiration after which large dose antimicrobials were given qid (clindamycin or 1st generation cephalosporin).
  
  
  RESULTS
  One child underwent arthrotomy, otherwise all patients recovered normally. There were no sequelae.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Routine arthrotomy for all patients is of questionable value in the emergency treatment of septic shoulder arthritis in children.
authors.affiliation: Mikkelin keskussairaala, TYKS:n yleiskirurgian klinikka, PL 52, 20521 Turku.
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pääkkönen
authors.forename: Heikki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Peltola
authors.forename: Markku
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kallio
authors.forename: Pentti
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kallio
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001170:Arthritis, Infectious / Q000628:therapy*; D001182:Arthroscopy; D002511:Cephalosporins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002981:Clindamycin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D012785:Shoulder Joint; D013396:Suction
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002511:Cephalosporins; D002981:Clindamycin