Modular component exchange and outcome of DAIR for hip and knee periprosthetic joint infection : a systematic review

Maxime Gerritsen1,2, Abdullah Khawar1, Henk Scheper2

  • 1Dept. of Orthopaedic Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands.

Bone & Joint Open
|October 1, 2021
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Modular component exchange during debridement, antibiotics, and implant retention (DAIR) for periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) shows no significant benefit. This finding suggests careful consideration of risks and costs versus potential outcomes for infected implants.

Area of Science:

  • Orthopedics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Biomaterials

Background:

  • Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a serious complication following joint replacement surgery.
  • The debridement, antibiotics, and implant retention (DAIR) procedure is a common treatment for PJI.
  • The role of modular component exchange during DAIR remains debated.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the association between modular component exchange during DAIR and treatment outcomes for hip and knee PJI.
  • To evaluate if the timing of the procedure influences the success of modular component exchange.

Main Methods:

  • A systematic literature search was conducted across major databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library) until May 2021.
  • Random effects meta-analyses and meta-regression were employed to analyze study-level success rates.
  • The AQUILA checklist was used for risk of bias appraisal.

Main Results:

  • The pooled success rate for DAIR in PJI was 67%, with variations between hip (70%) and knee (63%) PJI.
  • Before 2004, increased component exchange correlated with higher success rates for both hip and knee DAIR.
  • After 2004, this association diminished, with a slight decrease in success for hip PJI and a minimal increase for knee PJI with increased component exchange.

Conclusions:

  • Modular component exchange during DAIR for PJI does not demonstrate a clear benefit in reducing treatment failure.
  • The decision to exchange modular components should be individualized, balancing potential risks and costs.
  • The changing association over time suggests evolving treatment paradigms and evidence-based practices in managing infected implants.