Modified negative pressure wound therapy as an adjunct to antibiotics in the treatment of orthopaedic infected metalwork

PURPOSE: Infected orthopaedic metalwork is challenging to treat. Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) with irrigation is an emerging therapy for infected wounds as an adjunct to antibiotic therapy. The senior author had devised a modified technique to augment its efficacy, utilising high-flow rate irrigation and skin closure over the standard NPWT dressing. This novel technique was originally evaluated in a different centre and produced 100% success in metalwork retention. The present study is a reproducibility test of the same technique. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed on 24 patients with infected orthopaedic metalwork, including 3 upper limb and 21 lower limb cases, for outcomes relating to implant retention and infection resolution. Patients underwent a modified NPWT technique as an adjunct to antibiotic therapy and surgical debridement. Detailed medical and microbiology information were obtained from the patient records. RESULTS: 23 of 24 (96%) patients had successful metalwork retainment with healed wounds and resolution of infection, allowing fracture union. 27 infective organisms were identified in this cohort, and the antibiotic regimens for each patient are provided. The average follow-up was 663 days. No adverse effects were observed. CONCLUSION: This series supports the modified NPWT technique as a safe, reliable and effective adjunct therapy to resolve metalwork infection. The same results have been reproduced as the previous cohort in a different centre. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00590-021-03135-5.