Arthroscopic sampling, diagnosis and treatment of infected total hip replacements in dogs: Eight cases

To describe the technique and long-term outcomes in a group of eight dogs undergoing arthroscopic debridement with implant retention or subsequent revision surgery for total hip replacement (THR) infection.

Short case series.

Dogs underwent a THR procedure and subsequently developed signs consistent with a periprosthetic joint infection (PJI). Two groups of subjects were identified: those where the procedure had curative intent to resolve the infection with retention of implants (CI group) and those where the procedure was diagnostic in nature but also may have included various debulking procedures (NCI group). Dogs underwent an arthroscopic procedure that included sample collection, partial synovectomy, high volume lavage and other antimicrobial therapies.

Five dogs were treated in the CI group, four of which had no recurrence of infection during the reporting period. In the NCI group, three dogs underwent arthroscopic debridement and debulking procedures prior to planned revision surgeries. Arthroscopically obtained samples produced positive cultures in four of five dogs in the CI group and one of three dogs in the NCI group. Arthroscopic treatment of PJIs was associated with a successful outcome in seven of eight dogs in this case series.

Arthroscopic treatment of PJIs was successful in four of five cases (80%) of dogs in the CI group, which is consistent with that reported in humans. Arthroscopic sampling for bacteria culture had good sensitivity for type 1 PJIs and poor sensitivity for type 2 PJIs.