Comparison of Arthroscopic and Open Arthrotomy Treatment of Septic Arthritis of the Knee in Thai Patients

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to present our data comparing clinical results between arthroscopic debridement and
open arthrotomy for the treatment of septic arthritis of the knee.
Methods: The study was carried out as a retrospective study and was performed in 77 patients who had primary septic arthritis
of their knees and were treated at the Department of Orthropaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital during 2002
to 2111. Medical records of patients’ demographic data and clinical findings and the information of all investigation were
reviewed. The early results of the treatment between the patients who underwent arthroscopic debridement and the patients
who underwent arthrotomy were analyzed.
Results: There were 38 males and 39 females with an average age of 57.7±16.0 years. Thirty three patients were in the
arthroscopic group and 44 patients were in the open arthrotomy group. No differences between the two groups were observed
with regard to patients’ characteristics, demographics data, clinical presentation and laboratory investigations. The most
common organisms were Streptococcus spp. (39%) and Staphylococcus aureus (37%). Less blood loss (p < 0.01) and fewer
post-operative complications (p < 0.05) were observed in the arthroscopic debridement group compared to the open arthrotomy
group, even though arthroscopic surgery required a longer operative time (p < 0.01). However, there was no difference for
the length of the hospital stay between the two groups (p > 0.05).
Conclusion: Arthroscopic debridement provided good results which were similar to open arthrotomy with less immediate
complications.