Reinfection and Re-revision Rates of Periprosthetic Knee Infection Under Four Different Surgical Strategies

A single-center retrospective cohort study was conducted in the Department of Orthopedics, the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University. This study reviewed 145 patients who underwent debridement, antibiotics, and implant retention (DAIR), 1-stage revision, 1.5-stage revision, and 2-stage revision surgeries for total knee arthroplasty periprosthetic joint infection (TKA-PJI) at this institution between 2012 and 2022. In this study, we aimed to evaluate: (1) the postoperative reinfection rates following four surgical strategies for TKA-PJI; (2) the microbial profile of recurrent infections; (3) short- and long-term infection-free implant survival rates across the four surgical approaches; (4) re-revision rates due to aseptic loosening and long-term aseptic loosening-free implant survival rates; and (5) the reinfection rate in patients with positive cultures at the time of reimplantation. In order to provide reference value for clinical decision-making.

Inclusion criteria

• Patients who met the diagnostic criteria for TKA-PJI;
• Patients who underwent one of the following surgical interventions: DAIR, one-stage revision, 1.5-stage revision, or two-stage revision;
• Patients with complete medical records available;
• Patients who provided informed consent to participate in the study.

Exclusion criteria

• Incomplete medical records;
• Poor follow-up compliance, including inability to complete scheduled follow-up visits or refusal to participate in follow-up;
• Follow-up duration less than 2 years.