Abstract
Introduction: The results of total hip arthroplasty are in general very good. One of the factors with a negative influence on the outcome is an infection of the prosthesis. The prevalence of an acute post-operative infection is in the Netherlands in the range of 0.5 up to 2.0%. Different types of treatment are advised in the literature.
Methods and Material: In 1997 we started to treat all the acute infected THA according a protocol of open surgical debridement, pulsative irrigation, application of several gentamicin loaded sponges and starting directly post-operative an antibiotic combination therapy of flucloxacillin and rifampin. The antibiotic therapy was adjusted to the cultures taken during the operation and continued till 3 months after the debridement.
From Mars 1997 till July 2003 we subsequent included 32 patients, 26 with a minimal follow-up of 2 years are presented in this study. We evaluated the results of the treatment prospectively. The inflammatory parameters; C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and white blood cell count (before and after debridement) The Harris Hip Score and radiograms were monitored multiple times.
Results: The mean onset of infection symptoms till surgical debridement was ldays (range 0–15). All had high-elevated infection parameters and in all cases we found positive tissue cultures. 15 Times a Staphylococcus aureus was found, 5 times a Enterobacter cloacae, twice a Streptococcus, once a Pseudomonas, once a Klebsiella and once a peptostreptococcus. The average follow-up was 46 months (range 24–74).
In 23 patients the infection did not re-appear. The C-reactive protein normalised from a mean of 103 (2–320) to lower than 5 at 2 years, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate from 72 (14–120) to lower than 10. The white blood cell count was not elevated.
In none of the cases radiological signs of loosening was found and the mean HHS was 88 (75–96) points.
However in 3 patients the infection did re-occur: once after 2.5 months with the same bacterium as the first infection, a Streptococcus, again treated with a surgical debridement. At present she is clinical free of infection at a follow up of 2 years. The 2 other re-infections occurred respectively after 9 and 10 months, once after a surgical treatment of a jaw abscess and once after an episode of diverticulitis. The cultures derived other bacteria, a streptococcus and an E. coli, than the first infection, both a Staphylococcus aureus. In both cases a two-stage revision was the choice of treatment.
Conclusion: Finally 24 of the 26 acute infected hip arthroplasties were free of infection at 2 years follow-up. Surgical debridement and three months of antibiotics gave a good clinical result and a very low recurrent rate of the infection.
The abstracts were prepared by editorial secretary, Mrs K. Papastefanou. Correspondence should be addressed to Professor K.N. Malizos, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Thessalia, Larissa, 41222 GREECE
