Abstract
Postoperative infection is a difficult complication affecting total hip arthroplasty. It is painful, disabling, costly and it lacks definitive treatment guidelines. Klebsiella spp. are uncommon causes of Total Hip Arthroplasty. The aim of this case report was to document an effective treatment algorithm for a multidrug resistant Klebsiella spp infection after THA.
We report a case of a 56-year-old male who has performed a THA in 2007 at our institution. After 4 admissions due to posterior hip dislocations it was performed an Acetabular Revision in May 2014. The periprothesic infection was suspected by delayed wound healing with inflammatory signals and both abnormal values of Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP). The patient was submitted to two hip arthrocenteses, one before and the other after antibiotic therapy (EV). The intra-articular cultures revealed a Klebsiella Pneumoniae infection only carbapenem-sensitive.
We decided to performed a two-stage total hip arthroplasty revision approach.
After the First Acetabular revision, ESR and CRP were augmented. X-rays and CT scans were performed, but inconclusive for infection. The patient completed longterm ertapenem therapy after the results of intra-articular cultures.
We repeated arthrocentesis and the result was positive for the same bacteria.
After 3 months of the Acetabular procedure we performed a Girldstone. We continued with Ertapenem and after 4 months we performed a Total Revision Arthroplasty. Final intra-articular cultures were negative for infection and ESR and CRP were both normal.
After 5 months of follow-up the patient is pain-free and has good ROM.
The infection risk is greater with the number of revision surgeries. Our institution has good outcomes with 2-stage procedure for multi drug infections. The best diagnosis tools were ESR and CRP, and intra-articular cultures. Two-stage revision surgery is a good choice for multi-resistent infections, and proper indications must be followed.
