One- vs 2-Stage Bursectomy for Septic Olecranon and Prepatellar Bursitis: A Prospective Randomized Trial
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Published on: August 19, 2025
Ilker Uçkay1, Elodie von Dach2, Cédric Perez3
1Orthopaedic Surgery Service, Medico-Economic Control, University of Geneva Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; Service of Infectious Diseases, Medico-Economic Control, University of Geneva Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; Infection Control Program, Medico-Economic Control, University of Geneva Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
Objective:
To assess the optimal surgical approach and costs for patients hospitalized with septic bursitis.
Patients And Methods:
From May 1, 2011, through December 24, 2014, hospitalized patients with septic bursitis at University of Geneva Hospitals were randomized (1:1) to receive 1- vs 2-stage bursectomy. All the patients received postsurgical oral antibiotic drug therapy for 7 days.
Results:
Of 164 enrolled patients, 130 had bursitis of the elbow and 34 of the patella. The surgical approach used was 1-stage in 79 patients and 2-stage in 85. Overall, there were 22 treatment failures: 8 of 79 patients (10%) in the 1-stage arm and 14 of 85 (16%) in the 2-stage arm (Pearson χ2 test; P=.23). Recurrent infection was caused by the same pathogen in 7 patients (4%) and by a different pathogen in 5 (3%). Outcomes were better in the 1- vs 2-stage arm for wound dehiscence for elbow bursitis (1 of 66 vs 9 of 64; Fisher exact test P=.03), median length of hospital stay (4.5 vs 6.0 days), nurses' workload (605 vs 1055 points), and total costs (Sw₣6881 vs Sw₣11,178; all P<.01).
Conclusion:
For adults with moderate to severe septic bursitis requiring hospital admission, bursectomy with primary closure, together with antibiotic drug therapy for 7 days, was safe, effective, and resource saving. Using a 2-stage approach may be associated with a higher rate of wound dehiscence for olecranon bursitis than the 1-stage approach.
Trial Registration:
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01406652.
