Evaluation of the importance of a ready-made, gentamicin-impregnated spacer in relation to bacteriological findings in patients with periprosthetic joint infections

Abstract

Periprosthetic infection is a serious complication in total hip and knee arthroplasty. The complex therapeutic approach within two-stage reimplantation includes the use of antibiotic-impregnated spacers (temporary joint replacements).

The aim of this paper was to evaluate bacteriological findings in selected patients with periprosthetic infection in whom a ready-made gentamicin-impregnated spacer was used to treat the infection.

Keywords

• total hip arthroplasty
• total knee arthroplasty
• periprosthetic joint infection
• two-stage reimplantation
• gentamicin-impregnated spacer