Infection control rate in two-stage exchange for chronic periprosthetic joint infection: a retrospective cohort study focusing on antibiotic-free period.

BACKGROUND

Limited information is available regarding the impact of antibiotic holidays on the infection control rate of two-stage revisions for chronic periprosthetic joint infection (PJI). This study aims to evaluate the impact of an antibiotic holiday on the infection control rate after two-stage exchange for PJI.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed data from patients with chronic PJI who underwent long-interval two-stage exchange using joint spacers at our center from June 2012 to June 2021. Patients were divided into Short Antibiotic Holiday (SAH, antibiotic holiday < 3 months) and Long Antibiotic Holiday (LAH, antibiotic holiday ≥ 3 months) groups. Following completion of the two-stage exchange treatment, patients were monitored for a minimum of 2 years to determine the infection control rate.

RESULTS

A total of 75 chronic PJI patients were included, comprising 42 hip and 33 knee cases. In chronic PJI of the hip, the LAH group demonstrated a significantly higher infection control rate compared to the SAH group (27/27 vs 12/15, p = 0.016). For chronic PJI of the knee, the infection control rate in the LAH group was comparable to that in the SAH group (20/21 vs 10/12, p = 0.238). Furthermore, no significant differences in clinical outcomes were observed between the LAH and SAH groups.

CONCLUSIONS

A ≥ 3-month antibiotic holiday, without compromising postoperative functional recovery, may enhance infection control rates after two-stage exchange for chronic hip PJI using joint spacers.