We outline a treatment protocol for subjects with chronic periprosthetic joint infections (PJI) who elected not to have surgery. We developed a method of serial “fluid-depleting” aspirations with intra-articular gentamycin injections to affect the population of the biofilm community. We have experienced many treatment failures, as expected, but have also had a group of subjects who responded exceptionally well, requiring no surgical intervention. Our longest follow-up is 10 years. From June 2009 to December 2018, 372 clinical cases of chronic PJI involving primary and revision TKA and THA were treated. Of these, 25 subjects were treated with an active suppression protocol, in lieu of surgery. The protocol entailed frequent aspirations and intra-articular antibiotic injections to quell the PJI inflammatory response. All aspirations were performed by the treating surgeon in the orthopaedic clinic without fluoroscopic guidance. Based on a subject's response to the protocol, he/she was identified as 1 of 3 classifications: 1) Ongoing Treatment – Biofilm Trained (OTBT), 2) Ongoing Treatment – Biofilm Untrained (OTBU), and 3) Treatment Failure (TF). OTBT subjects showed no clinical signs of infection. Serum biomarkers (CRP, ESR) remained consistently normal and subjects were not on oral suppressive antibiotics. Aspiration analysis and cultures remained negative. Maintenance treatment consisted of a fluid-depleting aspiration with an intra-articular gentamycin injection every 12–16 weeks. OTBU subjects showed improved clinical symptoms, lowered serum biomarkers, and lowered WBC counts, but still demonstrated objective signs of infection. TF subjects did not respond to the protocol and showed unchanged/worsening clinical symptoms.Aim
Method
At present, a variety of clinical guidelines for treatment of periprosthetic joint infections (PJI) inevitably lead to a variety in outcomes by differing case management. Ideally a treatment algorithm should incorporate all components contributing to the decision-making process for a patient tailored solution in PJI. We aim to present a comprehensive and reproducible treatment algorithm based on a validated staging system, a thorough understanding of the host, the causative microbiome and implant complexity. The diagnosis of a PJI was defined according to major and minor criteria following revised International Consensus Symposium algorithm The validated McPherson staging system was used in our university hospital from January 2015 until January 2019 in referred PJI patients. Standardised preoperative and postoperative survey documents were completed in order to register data from the patient's medical, social and surgical history. The complexity of the infected implant was taken into consideration, including quantity of preceding procedures, residual bone stock, type of fixation, magnitude of prosthetic components and presence or absence of reconstructive options. Further, preoperatively obtained bacteriological information by means of arthrocentesis or tissue/bone biopsies was categorized according to the mono- or polybacterial nature and to the qualification of virulence and difficulties to treat. Social and professional history, financial impediments and patient's functional outcome wishes were included in the joint decision making.Aim
Method
