Abstract

Treatment protocols and results of debridement, antibiotics, irrigation and retention of the prosthesis (DAIR) for early prosthetic joint infection (PJI) vary in literature. The purpose of this study was to analyze the results of DAIR with a multidisciplinary designed customized antibiotic protocol for early PJI after primary total hip replacement (THR). We retrospectively analyzed all patients with an early PJI between 2008 and 2012. When an infection was suspected, debridement of the prosthesis, and collection of intraoperative cultures, was performed. Patients were multidisciplinary discussed and treated with an appropriate antibiotic scheme for 12 weeks. Primary outcome was retention of the prosthesis after at least two years follow-up and without any signs of infection. We indentified 25 patients with early PJI. At a median follow-up time of 3.1 years (range 2.1-5.5 years), 88% had retention of the prosthesis and no signs of infection. This study suggests that DAIR with a multidisciplinary approach and an aimed antibiotic treatment for early PJI after THR is a reasonable treatment option with 88% implant retention after two years follow-up.