Overview of empirical antibiotic therapy for arthroplasty device infections
Empirical antibiotic regimens for management of arthroplasty device infections should be guided by an infectious diseases physician or clinical microbiologist. Empirical therapy that is mismatched to pathogen susceptibility is associated with poor patient outcomes, so it is important to ensure that the empirical regimen treats the likely organisms.
For patients with symptoms or signs of sepsis or septic shock, broad-spectrum empirical therapy is required regardless of the classification of the infection—see Empirical therapy for arthroplasty device infection in patients with symptoms or signs of sepsis or septic shock.
In all other patients having surgery with curative intent, the choice of empirical therapy depends on the classification of the infection—see Empirical therapy for arthroplasty device infection in patients without symptoms or signs of sepsis or septic shock.
For patients who are not fit for surgery with curative intent, or in whom extensive revision surgery is not technically feasible, see Implant retention with long-term antibiotic suppression for discussion on long-term suppressive antibiotic therapy.