Biofilm Related Total Knee Arthroplasty Infection: Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment

Document Type : In Brief

Author

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain

Abstract

Biofilm related implant infection is undoubtedly a relevant challenge in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) 
with our comprehension steadily progressing and novel management approaches being developed. The 
aim of this article was to review the most important advances in approaches to combat infections due 
to biofilm-forming bacteria in TKA. The main conclusions were the following: 1) Fundamental 
management techniques for infected TKA include open DAIR (debridement, antibiotics, and implant 
retention), and one and two-stage revision TKA; 2) Continuous local antibiotic perfusion (CLAP) appears 
to diminish the risk of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI); 3) Restraint of quorum sensing seems to avert 
PJI after TKA; 4) A recent in vitro study showed promising results in the prevention and management of 
PJI after TKA using PMMA [poly(methyl methacrylate)] loaded with up to 100 mg of rifampin.
 Level of evidence: III

Keywords

Main Subjects


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