Unexpected Positive Cultures in Rotator Cuff Revision Surgery

Overview

In the context of rotator cuff re-intervention, the impact of Unexpected Positive Cultures (UPC) is not documented, and their management has not been studied, particularly regarding indications for antibiotic therapy, which is currently not a consensus. A prospective interventional study will be implemented to compare the results of non-randomized patient samples, whether positive or negative, taken during rotator cuff re-intervention. The objective is to assess whether these samples do not affect clinical outcomes and tendon healing rates.

Rotator cuff injuries are a common pathology with a 30% prevalence in the general population. If rotator cuff repair fails, patients often experience persistent pain, and bacteria can be detected during the revision period in approximately 30% of cases, even in the absence of septic symptoms. This type of infection, referred to as low-level infection, occurs in around 5% of cases and is frequently implicated as a contributing factor to poor outcomes of the intervention. Bacteriological samples are routinely collected during revisions, especially for prostheses. The appropriate course of action in cases where these samples test positive, yet there are no signs of infection, remains to be clarified. Notably, administering antibiotics in response to unexpected positive cultures (UPC) during the revision period for total shoulder prostheses does not appear to significantly impact results or infection rates. In the context of rotator cuff re-interventions, the impact of UPC has not been well-documented. The management of UPC, particularly regarding antibiotic therapy, has not been thoroughly studied and is not currently recommended. Further research is needed to establish guidelines for managing positive cultures in the absence of infection symptoms during rotator cuff re-interventions.

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Interventions

Eligibility

Locations (8)

Outcomes

Central Contacts