Photodynamic therapy for periprosthetic joint infection

Abstract

Introduction. The increase in the number of patients with joint and hip diseases is an actual problem in the clinical medicine. Objective: to improve outcomes of the combined surgical treatment of patients with deep periprosthetic infection (PPI) by developing and improving surgical techniques using spacers and laser technologies.Material and methods. Thirty-five patients with suppurated large joints as a complication after their replacement were examined and treated. In 9 (25.7 %) patients, PPI developed within 3–12 months after the primary arthroplasty. Twenty (57.1 %) patients developed PPI within 1–2 years after the surgery. In 4 (11.4 %) cases, suppuration in the endoprosthetic area developed in 2–3 years, and in 2 (5.7 %) patients – in 3–3.5 years. The age of the patients was 47–70 years. The main group consisted of 20 patients, the control group – of 15 patients. Patients from the main group had laser photodynamic therapy (PDT) session after the removal of endoprosthetic elements and devitalized tissues.Results. Patients from the main group had uneventful postoperative course – less pain syndrome, rapid resolution of the infl ammatory process, wound healing by the primary tension.Conclusion. Application of a new intraoperative PDT technique, developed by the authors, promotes rapid resolution of purulent-infl ammatory process and better healing of postoperative wounds by primary tension.