Polymicrobial Periprosthetic Joint Infections: Outcome of Treatment and Identification of Risk Factors

Conclusions:
This study reveals that polymicrobial periprosthetic joint infection, occurring at a relatively low rate, is associated with poor outcomes when compared with monomicrobial and culture-negative periprosthetic joint infection. Patients with polymicrobial infections were more likely to require a salvage procedure or to have periprosthetic joint infection-related mortality. Polymicrobial periprosthetic joint infection was associated with soft-tissue defects such as a sinus tract and certain types of organisms, which should be considered when administering antibiotics to these patients.

Level of Evidence:
Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Source: JBJS - December 20, 2016 Category: Orthopaedics Authors: Tan, T. L., Kheir, M. M., Tan, D. D., Parvizi, J. Tags: Hip, Infection, Knee Scientific Articles Source Type: research