Periprosthetic shoulder infection: an overview.

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Infectious Diseases
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Periprosthetic shoulder infection (PSI) is a rare but severe complication following shoulder replacement surgery.
• Risk factors for PSI include revision procedures, reverse shoulder arthroplasty, and patient comorbidities.
• Low-grade infections caused by non-suppurative bacteria like Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis present unique challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the diagnosis and management strategies for periprosthetic shoulder infections.
• To highlight the importance of microorganism identification and tailored treatment approaches.
• To discuss surgical options ranging from debridement to revision arthroplasty.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of periprosthetic shoulder infection diagnosis and treatment.
• Analysis of treatment outcomes based on infection type and surgical intervention.
• Discussion of factors influencing treatment success, including bacterial identification and antibiotic efficacy.

Main Results:

• Early postoperative PSI may be managed with debridement.
• Chronic PSI typically necessitates one- or two-stage revision procedures.
• Resection arthroplasty is a viable option for low-demand patients or refractory infections.

Conclusions:

• Successful management of PSI hinges on accurate pathogen identification, appropriate surgical techniques, and effective antibiotic therapy.
• Treatment strategies must be individualized based on the chronicity of infection and patient factors.
• A multidisciplinary approach is crucial for optimizing outcomes in periprosthetic shoulder infection.