Debridement for prosthetic joint infections

Debridement is a central tenet in the management of prosthetic joint infections (PJIs). Modern debridement has three distinct stages: 1) surgical; 2) mechanical/physical; and 3) chemical.¹ Given more recent understanding in the pathogenesis of PJI,² the microscopic targeting of the bacterial biofilm and intracellular pathogens should also be included in the art of debridement.^2,3 The adequacy of debridement is critical to the success of single-stage procedures, which have been shown to result in lower patient morbidity and healthcare costs.⁴ There is currently an unmet clinical need to optimize debridement in the management of PJI.