Jl. Hyman et al., The arthroscopic drainage, irrigation, and debridement of late, acute total hip arthroplasty infections - Average 6-year follow-up, J ARTHROPLA, 14(8), 1999, pp. 903-910
We present our experience with arthroscopy for the treatment of late, acute
periprosthetic hip infections in 8 consecutive patients, treated from 1989
to 1994. After a hip aspiration confirmed the presence of bacterial infect
ion, all patients underwent prompt arthroscopic treatment, which consisted
of drainage, lavage, and debridement. Postoperatively, patients were given
2 to 6 weeks of intravenous antibiotics, followed by long-term oral antibio
tic suppression. At a mean follow-up of 70 months (range, 29-104 months), n
o recurrence of infection occurred. No progressive radiographic loosening w
as noted. Based on this initial study, we believe that arthroscopic irrigat
ion and debridement can benefit well-selected patients who suffer late, acu
te hip periprosthetic infections. Effective treatment requires early diagno
sis, prompt arthroscopic debridement, well-fixed components, a sensitive mi
croorganism, and patient tolerance to and compliance with the antibiotic th
erapy.