To investigate the clinical efficacy of arthroscopic irrigation combined with surgical debridement in the treatment of shoulder infection after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.

Data of 4 post-operative infected patients [(male 3 cases, female 1 case; 55 years (51-61 years)] after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair who underwent arthroscopic irrigation combined with surgical debridement from January 2016 to June 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Less than 1 month after surgery, swelling, pain in the surgical area occurred and all patients had fever, abscess and sinus. Hematology and radiology were conducted immediately after admission. Antibiotic treatment was applied, and adjusted according to the culture results timely. All patients underwent arthroscopic irrigation combined with surgical debridement. Antibiotics continued accordingly after the operation. Blood routine, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, X-ray, etc. were rechecked regularly to evaluate the symptomatic relief of the infection and prognosis. Visual analogue scale (VAS) and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score were used to evaluate shoulder function during the pre-operative and post-operative follow-up period.

The surgery was successfully completed in all 4 patients. One was treated with VSD for vacuum suction and the wound was closed one week later. The results of microbial culture showed that 2 cases were Mycobacterium tuberculosis positive, 1 case Pseudomonas aeruginosa positive, and 1 case was Staphylococcus aureus positive. After treatment, the shoulder sinuses of all patients were healed, without swelling, pain, etc. The follow-up time was 3, 4, 32, and 33 months, respectively. There was no recurrence of infection until the latest follow-up. The joint mobility and scores were better than the situation of preoperative. The VAS score and ASES score of 2 patients with early debridement (< 1 month duration of infected symptoms) were respectively improved significantly from 5 and 40, 6 and 23 before operation to 1 and 80, 1 and 73 respectively at the latest follow up. The VAS score and ASES score of other 2 patients (> 6 months duration of infected symptoms) were respectively improved from 6 and 28, 6 and 32 to 1 and 62, 2 and 65 respectively. All patients were satisfied with the results.

Early arthroscopic irrigation combined with surgical debridement is an effective method to treat the post-operative infections after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.

Shoulder; Arthroscopy; Infection