Debridement, Antibiotics, and Implant Retention for a Rare Serratia marcescens Infection after Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Case Report.

INTRODUCTION

Recently, Serratia marcescens was reported to cause nosocomial infections.

CASE REPORT

In this study, we report a case of S. marcescens infection occurring after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in a 72-year-old woman. The patient had undergone TKA for knee osteoarthritis. She had a past medical history of diabetes mellitus, for which she was receiving cefazolin sodium. Six days after surgery, redness and effusion were observed in the wound, and post-operative infection was suspected. Thus, the patient was treated with linezolid, clindamycin, and tazobactam/piperacillin hydrate post-operatively. Twelve days after TKA, reinfection was suspected; hence, washing and debridement were repeated.

CONCLUSION

In this case, remission of S. marcescens infection was achieved without the need to remove the implant by cleaning, debridement, and the use of sensitive antimicrobial agents.