[Infected hip joint prosthesis. Viewpoints for 1-stage and 2-stage prosthesis exchange]

When treating an infected hip prosthesis, there are a number of medical, technical and biomechanical considerations. No ideal solution for all problems is available. In individual cases an optimal compromise must be found. The means for curing the infection and the one for maintaining hip stability can counteract each other. Basically, three options are available: removal of the prosthesis without replacement and one- or two-stage replacement. With all three options thorough surgical debridement is vitally important. The introduction of antibiotic cement and cementless titanium implants, together with very effective local antiseptics, has remarkably improved our treatment of this problem. Therefore, removal of infected prostheses without replacement is not as well accepted now as it has been in the past.