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Septic arthritis of the knee in adults: treatment by arthroscopy or arthrotomy

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Abstract

Fifty-one patients with septic arthritis of the knee were reviewed retrospectively. Twenty-seven patients had been treated by arthroscopic lavage and debridement, 24 patients by open arthrotomy with subtotal synovectomy. The patients were staged according to the duration of preoperative symptoms and to the intraoperative spread of the inflammatory process. With early onset of therapy (less than 5 days) and without osseous involvement arthroscopic treatment led to an effective resolution of infection with better functional results than open arthrotomy.

Résumé

51 malades présentant une arthrite septique du genou ont été examinés rétrospectivement. 27 avaient été traités par lavage arthroscopique et débridement, et 24 par arthrotomie avec synovectomie subtotale. Les malades ont été étudiés selon la durée des symptômes avant l'intervention et selon la diffusion du processus inflammatoire constaté opératoirement. Lorsqu'il est fait précocément (dans les 5 jours) et sans atteinte osseuse, le traitement arthroscopique mène à une résolution infectieuse efficace avec de meilleurs résultats fonctionnels que le traitement par arthrotomie.

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Wirtz, D., Marth, M., Miltner, O. et al. Septic arthritis of the knee in adults: treatment by arthroscopy or arthrotomy. International Orthopaedics (SICOT) 25, 239–241 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/s002640100226

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s002640100226

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