Periprosthetic knee infection: two stage revision surgery

Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) remains a serious complication following a total joint replace-ment. Diagnosis and management of PJI is challenging for surgeons since there is no “gold standard”. This challenging condition requires a coordinated management approach to achieve good patient outcomes. Fur-ther difficulties involve choosing the optimal method to treat the periprosthetic joint infection. In this article, it is stressed the role of the two-stage revision: implant removal, debridement and placement of an antibiotic spacer, and antibiotic therapy with cessation prior to reimplantation. Published literature shows that two stage revision is a valid treatment option for periprosthetic joint infection. (www.actabiomedica.it)