Role of debridement and retention of prosthesis in treating infection after total knee replacement

[Objective]To review our experience in treatine infection after total knee arthroplasty with debridement and component retention to determine To the feasibility,indication,factors related to success and failure,and the main points of technique.[Method]Since 1990 to 2004,9 patients were treated with debridement and component retention at our department.[Result]Four of 9 patients successfully retained their component at most recent follow-up,without ongoing infection(mean 18 months,range 10～25 months).We have not draw the statistically significant factors that related to successful and failure,but the factors such as acute infection,surfacing replacement,immediate debrided after onset of symptoms,and the bacteria sensitive to antibiotic were relate to success.[Conclusion]Debridement and component retention can be used in acute postoperative infection and later acute hematogenous infection after total knee replacement,but timing and indication must be chosen strictly.