Outcome of prosthetic infection following hip hemiarthroplasty surgery for intracapsular neck of femur fractures

AimTo review the outcome of deep prosthetic infection in patients following hip hemiarthroplasty surgery.MethodA retrospective case-note analysis was performed of deep infection coded hip hemiarthroplasty patients between 2004–2009. Patients were selected when there was proven microbiology from deep wound swabs or tissue specimens.ResultsDeep infection developed in 14 of 1428 hemiarthroplasties. The mean age at time of fracture was 83 (71–93). There was a 12:2 female to male ratio. Eleven of the 14 cases had an American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) score of three or four. Eight infections were due to Staphylococcus aureus, of which 6 were due to MRSA, which accounted for 43% of infections overall. There was no significant correlation between pathogen and success of treatment. Eight of the 14 hips were treated with open debridement and washout with implant retention. This was successful in 4 hips (50%). Infection recurred in 4 hips, one of which was revised to total hip replacement. The remaining 3 ...