[Routine preoperative examination for diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infection and its recurrence in revision hip...

To evaluate diagnostic value of routine preoperative laboratory tests such as erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and microbiological examination of joint aspirate in patients with periprosthetic joint infection or its recurrence in patients scheduled for revision hip arthroplasty.

There were 117 patients. Preoperative CRP and ESR, the culture of pre- and intraoperative joint aspirates and tissue biopsies were studied. We analyzed diagnostic significance of these parameters and the likelihood of periprosthetic joint infection depending on increase of CRP/ESR and previous joint infection.

According to microbiological data, periprosthetic joint infection was diagnosed in 19.7% of patients. High CRP in this group significantly increased the chance of joint infection diagnosis (OR 6.3; 95% CI 1.491-26.615). Concomitant increase of both ESR and CRP increased this likelihood by 7.7 times (OR 7.778; 95% CI 0.931-66.296). In the 2^nd group, periprosthetic joint infection was confirmed in 25% of patients. At the same time, detection of pathogen in isolated or combined increase in CRP and ESR was less likely compared to the control group. Prognostic value of negative preoperative microbiological examination of joint aspirate was only 93%. We failed to obtain aspirate in 21.4% of cases.

Increase of the routine serological parameters before revision hip arthroplasty is more sensitive for prediction of periprosthetic joint infection in patients without previous infection. Previous joint infection reduces diagnostic value of ESR and CRP in detection of recurrent periprosthetic joint infection. Preoperative examination of joint aspirate is not sufficient for etiological diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infection. However, positive microbiological culture should be taken into account for the choice of further management.