Graft infection following arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a report of four cases.
Septic arthritis following arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACL) is a rare complication and associated with severe morbidity. Its risk factors include (1) concomitant procedures during the reconstruction, (2) previous knee surgery, (3) allograft usage, (4) peri-operative wound contamination, and (5) presence of intra-articular foreign bodies. We present a series of 3 men and one woman aged 22 to 35 years who developed septic arthritis following ACL reconstruction. The risk factors identified were local infection (n=2), previous ipsilateral knee surgery (n=2), and the use of an allograft (n=1). All patients underwent emergency knee washout and debridement with graft retention within 24 hours, together with a course of intravenous antibiotic therapy. All the patients achieved eradication of their infections (with intact ACL grafts) and satisfactory functional outcome at a mean follow-up of 32 (range, 25-45) months.
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore.
James
J
Wee
Keng Thiam
KT
Lee
D000328:Adult; D064591:Allografts; D059549:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001170:Arthritis, Infectious / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D003646:Debridement; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents
anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction; arthritis, infectious; infection