Cementless two-stage exchange arthroplasty for infection after total hip arthroplasty

We retrospectively reviewed all patients at one center with an infected total hip arthroplasty treated with 2-stage revision using cementless components for the second stage and the PROSTALAC articulated spacer at the first stage. Twenty-nine patients were reviewed and followed for at least 2 years postoperatively. An isolated Staphylococcus species was cultured in 76% (22/29) of patients. Three (10.3%) of 29 patients had recurrent infection at the site of the prosthesis. One of the 3 patients ultimately underwent a Girdlestone arthroplasty. Another patient was managed with irrigation and debridement, whereas the final patient was treated with intravenous antibiotics alone. Treatment of infection at the site of a hip arthroplasty with 2-stage revision using cementless components and an articulated spacer yields recurrence rates similar to revisions where at least one of the components at the second stage is fixed with antibiotic-loaded cement.