Seventy-seven total hip arthroplasties complicated by deep infection
were treated by reoperation and fixation of a new prosthesis with
gentamicin-containing cement. The infection was proved in each case by
positive bacterial cultures. Systemic antibiotic treatment was continued
for six months postoperatively. Sixty hips were considered healed; the
patients had no pain and had normal sedimentation rates and roentgenograms.
Nine still had pain or an abnormal sedimentation rate and were classified
as doubtful with regard to eradication of the infection. Eight were still
infected. The patients were followed for six months to three and one-half
years after reoperation.