Background: The periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a severe complication in the field of arthroplasty. Despite the rising number of primary joint replacements, no unified therapeutic standard has been established for the treatment of PJI yet.
Methods: A survey on the principles of treatment of PJI in Germany was
conducted. A total of 515 EndoProthetikZentren (EPZ) were included, resulting in a response rate of 100%.
Results: For early infections 97.6% of the centers use prosthesis-preserving procedures (DAIR). A one-stage exchange was implemented by less than 50% of the centers. If implemented, this treatment entails a prior selection of patients for a successful treatment. The two-stage exchange is performed in all centers, and most centers proceed with the implantation of a cemented spacer between stages. 75% of the centers proceed with a center-based concept for the treatment of PJI.
Conclusion: The aim of a uniform PJI standard at the centers has not yet been fully achieved. Further improvements within the certification were initiated. The most relevant treatment options in Germany are displayed. The two-stage revision with a cemented spacer is the most widely implemented treatment. This exposition of principles could help for the further development of standardized treatment guidelines and definitions.

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3
This is a list of supplementary files associated with this preprint. Click to download.
Endocert_Questionnaire_PJI.pdf, Questionnaire Title: “Principles of treatment for septic endoprosthesis revisions”, endoCert Questionnaire for Principles of treatment for septic endoprosthesis revisions for the endoprosthetic centers
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On 09 Sep, 2020
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Received 21 Jul, 2020
On 02 Jul, 2020
On 30 Jun, 2020
Invitations sent on 29 Jun, 2020
On 23 Jun, 2020
On 22 Jun, 2020
On 22 Jun, 2020
On 19 Jun, 2020
On 24 Sep, 2020
On 16 Sep, 2020
On 15 Sep, 2020
On 15 Sep, 2020
Posted 11 Sep, 2020
On 14 Sep, 2020
Received 14 Sep, 2020
On 14 Sep, 2020
Invitations sent on 09 Sep, 2020
On 09 Sep, 2020
Received 09 Sep, 2020
On 08 Sep, 2020
On 07 Sep, 2020
On 07 Sep, 2020
On 05 Aug, 2020
On 03 Aug, 2020
Received 03 Aug, 2020
Received 21 Jul, 2020
Received 21 Jul, 2020
On 02 Jul, 2020
On 30 Jun, 2020
Invitations sent on 29 Jun, 2020
On 23 Jun, 2020
On 22 Jun, 2020
On 22 Jun, 2020
On 19 Jun, 2020
Background: The periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a severe complication in the field of arthroplasty. Despite the rising number of primary joint replacements, no unified therapeutic standard has been established for the treatment of PJI yet.
Methods: A survey on the principles of treatment of PJI in Germany was
conducted. A total of 515 EndoProthetikZentren (EPZ) were included, resulting in a response rate of 100%.
Results: For early infections 97.6% of the centers use prosthesis-preserving procedures (DAIR). A one-stage exchange was implemented by less than 50% of the centers. If implemented, this treatment entails a prior selection of patients for a successful treatment. The two-stage exchange is performed in all centers, and most centers proceed with the implantation of a cemented spacer between stages. 75% of the centers proceed with a center-based concept for the treatment of PJI.
Conclusion: The aim of a uniform PJI standard at the centers has not yet been fully achieved. Further improvements within the certification were initiated. The most relevant treatment options in Germany are displayed. The two-stage revision with a cemented spacer is the most widely implemented treatment. This exposition of principles could help for the further development of standardized treatment guidelines and definitions.

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3
This is a list of supplementary files associated with this preprint. Click to download.
Endocert_Questionnaire_PJI.pdf, Questionnaire Title: “Principles of treatment for septic endoprosthesis revisions”, endoCert Questionnaire for Principles of treatment for septic endoprosthesis revisions for the endoprosthetic centers
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