Periprosthetic total hip infection: outcomes using a staging system.

The outcomes of 50 consecutive patients with chronic periprosthetic total hip arthroplasty infections were evaluated based on a staging system developed at the authors' institution. The staging system includes three categories: infection type (acute versus chronic), systemic host grade, and local extremity grade. The initial treatment plan was a two-stage resection followed by reimplantation if clinically indicated. Treatment was modified for each patient according to how the patient responded to initial debridement. The average followup was 23.2 months (range, 0-74 months). Of the 50 patients, 29 had reimplantation with a total hip arthroplasty (58%), 17 patients had permanent resections (34%), and four patients had amputations (8%). Five patients died (10%). Fifteen patients had muscle flap transfers into the hip for soft tissue coverage. Significant correlations were seen with the staging system and outcome parameters. Patients who were very medically ill were far more likely to die or have their leg amputated. Conversely, healthier patients were more likely to have successful reimplantation. A strong correlation was seen with a compromised local wound and the need for muscle flap transfer. Complication rates were strongly related to worsening medical condition and a worsening local wound. Based on these results, a staging system for periprosthetic infection is a useful tool that with additional refinement will provide more objective evaluation of treatment methods for periprosthetic hip infection in the future.