[Treatment of Infected Hip Joint Arthroplasty. Results of Treatment of 62 Infected Total Prosthesis Arthroplasties]

The treatment of 62 cases of infected total joint arthroplasty of the hip is reported. The treatment regimen for each patient was dependent on the general medical condition of the patient and the clinical signs of infection, as well as the type of bacteria, the bony anchorage of the prosthesis and the bone stock of femur and acetabulum. Surgical treatment was one of the following: treatment of the infection leaving the prosthesis in situ; one-stage or two-stage revision arthroplasty; or excision arthroplasty (Girdlestone procedure). There were 11 early and 51 late infections. The commonest bacterium isolated was Staphylococcus epidermidis (30%). The primary success rate of revision of the shaft was somewhat better with cemented than with uncemented prostheses. The overall success rates for cemented and for uncemented shafts were similar (91.5% versus 90%).