The mortality rate after two-stage total knee revision for periprosthetic joint infection is high, according to an meta-analysis in The Journal of Arthroplasty.
Here are six things to know:
1. Researchers performed a database search and included 14 studies in their review.
2. The analysis included 20,719 patients who underwent two-stage revision for total knee PJI.
3. Patients' average age was 66 years. The average mortality rate was 14.4 percent with a mean follow-up of almost four years.
4. The one-year mortality rate was 4.33 percent after total knee PJI with an increase of 3.13 percent each year after. Five-year mortality was 21.64 percent.
5. The risk of death after total knee PJI is significantly increased compared to national age-adjusted mortality rates.
6. "When counseling a patient regarding complications of this disease, death should be discussed," the study authors wrote.