Abstract
Introduction: Periprosthetic infection remains a main complication in arthroplasty. In case of a possible infection the surgeon has to have a concept of treatment which can be individually adjusted.
Materials and Methods: To increase the success of implant retaining surgery VAC Instill therapy combining instillation of an antiseptic solution and VAC therapy was performed in 23 patients with periprosthetic hip infections. 19 patients had an early and 4 a late infection of the arthroplasty. Lavasept was used for irrigation.
Results: Definitive wound closure was possible in all patients following 2.1 VAC exchange operations in average. The follow up was 19 months in average. In five of the 23 patients (22%) there was recurrent infection which made the explantation of the implant necessary. In early infection the success rate was 84%, in late infection 50%.
Conclusion: VAC Instill therapy can be successfully used for salvage of infected endoprosthesis especially in case of early infection. The success rate seems to be higher than irrigation alone or suction drainage.
Correspondence should be addressed to: EFORT Central Office, Technoparkstrasse 1, CH – 8005 Zürich, Switzerland. Tel: +41 44 448 44 00; Email: office@efort.org
Author: Burkhard Lehner, Germany
