Infection after mini-open rotator cuff repair

A consecutive case series from 2 institutions of patients with postoperative wound infections after mini-open rotator cuff repair was reviewed. Between 1991 and 2000, 360 patients underwent mini-open rotator cuff repair after arthroscopic subacromial decompression. Seven patients had postoperative infection develop (1.9%). All patients were men, with a mean age of 55 years (range, 40-64 years). Treatment included serial irrigation and debridement, long-term intravenous antibiotics, and revision rotator cuff repair. Mean follow-up after definitive treatment was 32 months (range, 12-57 months). Propionibacter acnes was present in 6 of 7 patients (86%) with infections. The initial rotator cuff repair was disrupted in 4 shoulders and intact in 3. A revision rotator cuff repair was performed at the final irrigation and debridement in all 4 shoulders. Results were 100% satisfactory. The mean American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons pain score improved from 7 (range, 6-9) preoperatively to 1 (range, 0-2). The mean final score was 95. Because these infections were noted to occur only in arthroscopically assisted rotator cuff repairs, a second preparation and draping were introduced as routine protocol. No postoperative infections have occurred in the ensuing 200 mini-open rotator cuff repairs. (J Shoulder Elbow Surg 2002;11:605-8)