title: Endoscopic bursectomy for the treatment of septic pre-patellar bursitis: a case series.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Operative treatment for septic pre-patellar bursitis generally involves open debridement in addition to an extended course of intravenous antibiotics. Skin necrosis and wound breakdown are potential complications of this procedure in addition to scar sensitivity and a prolonged recovery.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report endoscopic bursectomy for the treatment of septic pre-patellar bursitis in eight patients over a 3-year period. All patients had microbiological confirmation of an infective process. The average age was 36 years (23-68 years). The average hospital stay was 6 days (4-9 days).
  
  
  RESULTS
  No patient had a recurrence or complained of tenderness or hypoaesthesia around their wound. No patient experienced wound complications or skin necrosis. The average return to work time was 18 days (7-22 days).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We conclude that endoscopic bursectomy is a safe and effective treatment for septic pre-patellar bursitis with a shortened hospital stay and a quicker return to work than conventional open debridement.
authors.affiliation: Ballarat Base Hospital, Drummond Street North, Ballarat, VIC 3350, Australia. dillon.jp@hotmail.com
authors.forename: John P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Dillon
authors.forename: Ilan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Freedman
authors.forename: James S M
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mitchell
authors.forename: Shaun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: English
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001182:Arthroscopy; D002061:Bursa, Synovial / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D002062:Bursitis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery*; D016908:Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010329:Patella; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000150:complications; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000150:complications; D016896:Treatment Outcome