Periprosthetic joint infection: Is irrigation and debridement still an acceptable treatment option?

Infection after total joint arthroplasty is a devastating complication. Its incidence has been reduced; however, challenges in treatment remain. Debridement, irrigation, and retention of the prosthetic implants have been used for selected patients. A relatively poor clinical success rate has been reported especially in those patients with resistant organisms and in those with adverse host factors. The focus of this review is to summarize some of the most recent data published and presented on this treatment methodology.