SALVAGE PROCEDURES IN CHRONIC INFECTION A FTER TOTAL HIP-ARTHROPLASTY

Thirteen patients were analyzed who suffered from chronic infection af ter total hip replacement. Some of them had had severe soft tissue def ects or multiple fistulae for years. Some showed acute, sometimes life -threatening infection after long-standing loosening of the prosthesis . Therapy consisted of radical debridement, installation of a closed s uction-irrigation drainage system and if another total hip prosthesis was implanted of a specific antibiotic management, including rifampin. In one case treatment was limited to the achievement of a permanent f istula. The average follow-up time was 4.3 years. With or without tota l hip reimplantation infections were healed as a rule and the decrease in pain was marked. There was only a partial increase in walking abil ity. In these severely damaged patients treatment can result in marked amelioration of the quality of life but only exceptionally in normali zation.