Lower Rates of Re-Operation Following Partial or Complete Revision Arthroplasty Compared to Debridement, Antibiotics, and Implant Retention for Early Postoperative and Acute Hematogenous Periprosthetic Hip Infection

This study aimed to: 1) compare treatment outcomes between debridement, antibiotics, and implant retention (DAIR) and partial or complete revision arthroplasty (RA) for early postoperative and acute hematogenous total hip arthroplasty (THA) periprosthetic joint injection (PJI) and 2) identify factors associated with treatment outcome. The study consisted of a retrospective cohort of patients who underwent surgery for PJI between 2004 and 2021. There were 76 patients (74.5%) who underwent DAIR and 26 patients (25.5%) who underwent RA. Treatment success was defined as treatment eradication at a minimum of a 2-year follow up. Bivariate regression analysis was used to assess the effect of different factors on treatment outcomes. Kaplan-Meier survivorship was performed to compare survivorship between cohorts. At a mean follow-up of 8.2 years (range, 2.2 to 16.4 years), significantly more DAIR failed treatment (DAIR, 50 [65.8%]; 10 [38.5%]; P = 0.015). The 8-year Kaplan-Meier survivorship was 35.1% [95% CI (confidence interval), 24.3 to 45.9] for patients treated with DAIR and 61.5% [95% CI, 42.9 to 80.1] for those treated with RA (Log Rank = 0.039). Bivariate regression analysis showed performing a RA was associated with a higher likelihood of treatment success (OR [odds ratio] 4.499, 95% CI 1.600 to 12.647, P = 0.004), whereas a higher BMI (Body Mass Index) was associated with treatment failure (OR 0.934, 95% CI 0.878 to 0.994, P = 0.032). To reduce the rate of recalcitrant infection following early postoperative or acute hematogenous THA PJI, RA may be of benefit over DAIR. This is especially relevant in the early post-operative period, when components can be readily exchanged.