Management of early deep infection after rotator cuff repair surgery

Deep soft-tissue infection occurs infrequently after rotator cuff repair surgery. We retrospectively reviewed the clinical presentation in 14 patients whose rotator cuff repair was complicated by an early deep infection (<6 weeks). The functional outcome after treatment in 12 of these patients was analyzed at a mean follow-up of 37.5 months (range, 11-122 months). The diagnosis of infection was most often made within 3 weeks from the date of surgery (mean, 18 days; range, 3-41 days). Common presenting symptoms included localized wound erythema and drainage. The blood leukocyte counts were usually normal, but the erythrocyte sedimentation rates and C-reactive protein levels were elevated. A mean of 2.6 surgical debridements were required to clean the wound effectively in each case. Eight of twelve patients were dissatisfied at final assessment. Most patients reported reasonably good relief of pain, but they had residual shoulder stiffness and weakness. Retention of suture anchors in the humeral head did not preclude successful eradication of the infection.