Is there a role for obtaining cultures before, and at the time of, insertion of prosthesis during second stage (reimplantation) of a two-stage exchange arthroplasty?

Authors: Stuart Goodman, Derek F. Amanatullah, Katherine Hwang

RECOMMENDATION: Preoperative aspiration of a joint should be determined based on the index of suspicion for persistent infection. During reimplantation, however, multiple f uid and tissue samples should be sent for culture. There is a direct correlation between the outcome of twostage exchange arthroplasty and culture results during reimplantation.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Moderate

DELEGATE VOTE: Agree: 95%, Disagree: 4%, Abstain: 1% (Unanimous, Strongest Consensus)