title: Arthroscopy for hip septic arthritis in children.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hip arthroscopy for treatment of septic arthritis in children has previously been reported with excellent short-term results. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term results of hip arthroscopy for hip septic arthritis (HSA) in paediatric patients.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Arthroscopy still is a useful tool in the treatment of HSA, and may be superior to simple hip aspiration.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve patients with a median age of 6 years, with community-acquired infections, were diagnosed as HSA. All of them were treated using arthroscopic drainage. The duration of symptoms at presentation were a median of 3,5 days (2-20). In the younger patients (<8 years), hip joint distension was used instead of hip traction. At final check-up, the Hip Harris Score (HHS) was used and a radiographic study done.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two patients required a repeat arthroscopy. All, except for one patient, achieved excellent clinical results. Two patients presented radiological changes at the last check-up. The poor results were related to late presentation for medical treatment. There was no difference between early and late results.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hip arthroscopy for child HSA is a feasible technique even for the youngest patients, moreover the positive clinical results initially obtained are maintained over time.
  
  
  METHODS
  Level IV: retrospective series.
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Orthopedic Department, Hospital Universitari Son Espasses, Palma de Mallorca, Spain. Electronic address: isanpera@gmail.com.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sanpera
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Orthopedic Department, Hospital Universitari Son Espasses, Palma de Mallorca, Spain. Electronic address: draluy@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Raluy-Collado
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Orthopedic Department, Hospital Universitari Son Espasses, Palma de Mallorca, Spain.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sanpera-Iglesias
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001170:Arthritis, Infectious / Q000628:therapy*; D001182:Arthroscopy; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004322:Drainage / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents
keywords: Arthroscopy; Hip aspiration; Hip avascular necrosis; Hip septic arthritis