Infection Following ACL Reconstruction: From Prevention to Treatment

Postoperative infection is a rare, but serious, complication following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). This review integrates current epidemiological trends, risk factors, and novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches derived from the existing literature. The estimated incidence of septic arthritis (SA) after ACLR typically ranges from ۰.۱۴% to ۲.۶%. Male sex, smoking, hamstring autograft implantation, being diabetic, and increased body mass index (BMI) are significant risk factors. Intraoperative vancomycin presoaking of the graft, known as the 'vancomycin wrap' technique, has significantly decreased infection rates and revolutionized prophylactic procedures. Clinical suspicion and laboratory markers, such as synovial fluid analysis and C-reactive protein (CRP), are used to make the diagnosis of infection.Management often entails urgent arthroscopic debridement and individualized antibiotic treatment, with the principal aim of preserving the ACL graft. Although graft retention is successful in numerous cases, ongoing infection may require graft removal, which results in poorer outcomes.

کلیدواژه ها:

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction (ACLR) ، Instability ، Postoperative Infection ، Septic arthritis ، Surgical site infection