[Final results after operative treatment of shoulder joint infections].

PURPOSE

In a consecutive case series the results of operative treatment of patients with shoulder joint infections following rotator cuff surgery, endoscopic subacromial decompression or subacromial injection were studied.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between 1990 and 2001 26 patients developed a postoperative infection. 24 patients were available for a mean follow-up of 4.3 (1-12) years. The mean age of the study group was 59.8 (28-84) years. Patients were divided into three groups. Group I consisted of 9 patients with infection after rotator cuff repair, group II consisted of 4 patients with infection after endoscopic subacromial decompression and there were 11 patients in group III with an infection that developed following subacromial injection. Patient evaluation was done according to the Constant and ASES Scores, the SF-36 and a visual analogue scale (VAS) for postoperative pain and satisfaction.

RESULTS

The mean postoperative Constant Score was 68.6 pts (SD 25.1) in group I, 84.6 pts (SD 10.4) in group II and 75.6 pts (SD 25.1) in group III. The mean ASES-Score was 65.6 pts (SD 30.0) in group I, 69.8 pts (23.6) in group II and 78.5 pts (SD 25.7) in group III. The SF-36 showed for the summarized physical scale 37.3 pts (SD 12.6) in the first, 39.8 pts (SD 5.8) in the second and 37.7 pts (SD 12.4) in the third group and for the summarized psychometric scale 40.4 pts (SD 2.7) in the first, 44.3 pts. (SD 10.8) in the second and 45.7 pts. (SD 10.1) in the third group. For the VAS for pain, group I had 4.3, group II 4.0 and group III 2.5 pts Patient satisfaction showed similar results with 6.4 pts in the first, 6.5 pts in the second and 6.8 pts in the third group.

CONCLUSION

Considering the functional results of operative revision, infection of the shoulder joint following rotator cuff surgery, endoscopic subacromial decompression or subacromial injection is a rare but severe complication.