The infected total shoulder arthroplasty is not a frequent finding at the present time, the necessity of treating this complication may become more urgent with the continually increasing number of arthroplasty procedures performed.

From 1992 till the beginning of 2005, eleven patients were treated for infected total shoulder arthroplasty. An acute infection occurred in one patient (9 %), subacute in three (27 %) and late in seven patients (64 %). The average period between the primary operation and infection manifestation was 19.3 months.

The group of 181 patients operated on for shoulder replacement between 1992 and 2005 was evaluated, and a deep infection of total shoulder arthroplasty was found in 11 patients (2.2 %).

An antibiotic therapy alone was sufficient to eradicate the infeciton in only 20 % of the infected patients, but these showed good Constant scores (average, 42 points). Revision surgery, debridement and irrigation drainage had a low success rate (33 %) and good Constant scores (average, 45 points) in the cured patients. A two-stage exchange was 100 % successful but had a poor outcome, with an average Constant score of 26 points. However, a two-stage exchange involving a spacer had both 100 % success rate and a good outcome with an average Constant score of 49 points. On statistical evaluation using the unpaired t-test, there was a significant difference in the Constant scores (T 4.35 p=0.005) between the patients undergoing exchange arthroplasty with (n=40) and without (n=4) the spacer.

Poor function scores after resection arthroplasty are not surprising, because a sharp residual proximal humerus is likely to irritate soft tissues and, in addition, it is not possible to reconstruct a rotator cuff to match it.

Comparing the results of one-stage with two-stage reimplantation is a complex issue. Attention should be paid to a relationship between the methods routinely used to treat an infected total shoulder arthroplasty and those preferred by the given hospital for treatment of other joints. If the therapy is well established in that hospital and gives good long-term results, it is optimal to use it also for the treatment of infected total shoulder arthroplasty.

The method of treating infected total shoulder arthroplasty is not different from other big joint therapies. The use of a spacer will allow us to remodel soft tissues satisfactorily even after extensive debridement. The functional results of treatment involving a spacer are significantly better.

History of surgical wounds drainage is long-lasting. In our research we focused on the debated issue of safety and effectiveness of drainage.

In the period 2006–2008 we were examined 198 samples of patients after arthroplasty, or one-stage exchange for aseptic loosening and and 202 patients with infected artrhoplasty. For all patients was performed a prospective study of drain contamination using PCR methods.

Research has confirmed that the Redon drainage is a safe method that provides a clear benefit for the pacient. Based on the results of this study is recommended to keep drains 2 days after surgery.

Negative factor for the colonization of the drain are higher postoperative blood loss.

Continuous irrigation drainage can be clearly classified into standard operating procedures in the treatment of infectious diseases in the orthopedic. The use of irrigation drainage brings benefit over risk.

Prolonged irrigation drainage did not remove the contamination from the drains. Handling with irrigation drainage systems and dressing exchange did not a risk factor of contamination.

For infected knee joint is recommended to leave irrigation drainage about 100–112 hours, follow sucktional drainage and further 12 to 24 hours to remove the drains.

An important finding is the frequent presence of pathogenic fungi in the DNA material from arthroplasty area.