Significance of Perioperative Tests to Diagnose the Infection in Revision Total Shoulder Arthroplasty

Document Type : RESEARCH PAPER

Authors

The Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rochester, USA

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the value of perioperative tests for the diagnosis of infection
in revision shoulder arthroplasty.
Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 537 shoulder arthroplasties (429 patients) that underwent revision
shoulder arthroplasty at our institution. Periprosthetic tissue cultures were positive in 169/537 surgeries.
Results: White-blood cell count (WBC) was elevated in 3.8% revision arthroplasties. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
was elevated in 23.1% revision arthroplasties. The C-reactive protein (CRP) was elevated in 20.8% revision arthroplasties.
Bone scans (technetium, indium) were performed on 9.9% patients and it was positive for osteomyelitis in just one revision
arthroplasty. Intra-operative pathology was read as consistent with acute inflammation in 11.9% revision arthroplasties.
The positive and negative predictive values for intra-operative pathology were 56.7% and 71.6% respectively.
Conclusion: All of the perioperative tests had a high specificity and negative predictive value, but low sensitivity and
positive predictive value.
Level of evidence: III

Keywords

Main Subjects


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