Results of infected total knee arthroplasty treated with arthroscopic debridement and continuous antibiotic irrigation system

BACKGROUND: Arthroscopic debridement with continuous irrigation system was used with success in treating infective arthritis. We evaluated the effectiveness of arthroscopic debridement coupled with antibiotic continuous irrigation system in acute presentation of late infected total knee arthroplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of medical record of patients with acute presentation of late infected total knee arthroplasty who were treated by arthroscopic debridement coupled with continuous postoperative antibiotic irrigation system. RESULTS: Seventeen patients were included in our study. 15 (88%) patients preserved their total knee prosthesis at mean of followup of 27.5 months (range, 14-28 months). Two (12%) patients failed arthroscopic protocol and finally needed two stages revision. Our study showed an 88% prosthesis retention rate in patients with acute presentation of late prosthetic knee infection. No complication was associated with use of antibiotic irrigation system. CONCLUSION: Arthroscopic debridement combined with continuous antibiotic irrigation and suction is an effective treatment for patients with acute presentation of late infected total knee arthroplasty.