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Rocheleau et al: Arthroscopic sampling, diagnosis and treatment of infected total hip replacements in dogs: Eight cases
Veterinary Surgery 4, 2025

🔍 Key Findings

Study Design: Case series of 8 dogs with confirmed or suspected PJI after total hip replacement (THR)
Dogs were categorized into:

  • Curative intent (CI) group (n=5): short-duration infections, implant retention attempted
  • Non-curative intent (NCI) group (n=3): chronic infections, implants scheduled for removal or revision

Success Rate: 7 of 8 dogs had infection resolution, including 4 of 5 in the CI group
Sampling sensitivity:

  • Arthroscopic culture success was 80% in the CI group but only 33% in the NCI group
  • All explanted implants from NCI group yielded positive cultures

Common isolates: Staphylococcus pseudointermedius (including MRSP), S. epidermidis, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, and E. coli
Ancillary treatments included:

  • Partial synovectomy, high-volume lavage (5–10 L), biofilm-depleting lavage, and/or amikacin-impregnated calcium sulfate beads

Mean follow-up: >1 year (mean 812 days); no signs of recurrence in successfully treated cases
Conclusions: Arthroscopic management of THR infections is feasible and effective in appropriately selected dogs. Success aligns with human literature when infection type is favorable (Type 1, 3, 4). Sensitivity of arthroscopic culture is higher in early/acute infections.

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← Articles

Rocheleau et al: Arthroscopic sampling, diagnosis and treatment of infected total hip replacements in dogs: Eight cases
Veterinary Surgery 4, 2025

🔍 Key Findings

Study Design: Case series of 8 dogs with confirmed or suspected PJI after total hip replacement (THR)
Dogs were categorized into:

  • Curative intent (CI) group (n=5): short-duration infections, implant retention attempted
  • Non-curative intent (NCI) group (n=3): chronic infections, implants scheduled for removal or revision

Success Rate: 7 of 8 dogs had infection resolution, including 4 of 5 in the CI group
Sampling sensitivity:

  • Arthroscopic culture success was 80% in the CI group but only 33% in the NCI group
  • All explanted implants from NCI group yielded positive cultures

Common isolates: Staphylococcus pseudointermedius (including MRSP), S. epidermidis, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, and E. coli
Ancillary treatments included:

  • Partial synovectomy, high-volume lavage (5–10 L), biofilm-depleting lavage, and/or amikacin-impregnated calcium sulfate beads

Mean follow-up: >1 year (mean 812 days); no signs of recurrence in successfully treated cases
Conclusions: Arthroscopic management of THR infections is feasible and effective in appropriately selected dogs. Success aligns with human literature when infection type is favorable (Type 1, 3, 4). Sensitivity of arthroscopic culture is higher in early/acute infections.

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Multiple Choice Questions on this study

In Rocheleau 2025 et al., on infected total hip replacements, which factor most influenced success of arthroscopic curative treatment?

A. Duration of anesthesia
B. Type of implant used
C. Use of calcium sulfate beads
D. Infection duration and chronicity
E. Dog body weight

Answer: Infection duration and chronicity

Explanation: Cases with short-duration infections (CI) had higher resolution rates, consistent with human PJI data.
In Rocheleau 2025 et al., on infected total hip replacements, which of the following best describes the culture outcomes for the non-curative intent (NCI) group?

A. Arthroscopic cultures identified all infections
B. No cultures were positive
C. Only blood cultures were used
D. Explanted implants yielded positive cultures in all dogs
E. None of the dogs had cultures performed

Answer: Explanted implants yielded positive cultures in all dogs

Explanation: In the NCI group, all explanted implants cultured positive despite low arthroscopic culture sensitivity.
In Rocheleau 2025 et al., on infected total hip replacements, what was the sensitivity of arthroscopic cultures in the curative intent (CI) group?

A. 33%
B. 50%
C. 60%
D. 80%
E. 100%

Answer: 80%

Explanation: Arthroscopic cultures yielded positive results in 80% of dogs in the CI group.
In Rocheleau 2025 et al., on infected total hip replacements, what was the overall infection resolution rate following arthroscopic management?

A. 50%
B. 62.5%
C. 75%
D. 87.5%
E. 100%

Answer: 87.5%

Explanation: Seven out of eight dogs (87.5%) experienced successful infection resolution.
In Rocheleau 2025 et al., on infected total hip replacements, which pathogen was among the common isolates recovered?

A. Staphylococcus aureus
B. Bordetella bronchiseptica
C. Pseudomonas aeruginosa
D. Staphylococcus pseudointermedius
E. Mycoplasma canis

Answer: Staphylococcus pseudointermedius

Explanation: S. pseudointermedius, including methicillin-resistant strains, was commonly isolated.

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