Periprosthetic Joint Infection Following Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty Treated With Continuous Local Antibiotic Perfusion: A Case Report

Prosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a crucial complication of reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA). Continuous local antibiotic perfusion (CLAP) with a high-concentration antimicrobial pharmacy administration method has recently received attention owing to its effectiveness in the treatment of bone and soft tissue infections. We herein report a case of PJI following RSA that was successfully treated with CLAP without removal of the entire implant. A 73-year-old woman with comorbidities of diabetes mellitus and hypertension underwent RSA. The wound was found to be swollen eight weeks after RSA, and purulent content that was positive for Propionibacterium granulosum was identified. Blood samples indicated a mildly elevated inflammatory response. With a diagnosis of PJI spread from the intra-articular to subcutaneous regions without implant loosening, the patient underwent surgical treatment nine weeks after RSA. The contaminated tissues were thoroughly debrided, and the prosthetic joint was preserved by replacing the glenosphere and polyethylene liner. Intra-soft tissue antibiotic perfusion (iSAP) tubes and effluent drains were placed intra-articularly and subcutaneously, and gentamicin was infused continuously for 12 days. In addition, ceftriaxone and rifampicin were administered. The patient was subsequently treated with minocycline and sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim or clindamycin for eight weeks. The inflammatory reaction became negative six weeks postoperatively, and the patient had no recurrence at 15 months postoperatively. Treatment of PJI is considered a long-lasting, challenging process. This case report supports the feasibility of using CLAP in the treatment of PJI.