Deep, late infections associated with internal fixation in children.

Abstract

Deep, late infection associated with internal fixation is well known in adults, but has not been previously reported in children. We report here six cases of deep, late infection in children associated with internal fixation of the proximal femur. All patients had cerebral palsy and had undergone a proximal femoral osteotomy for hip subluxation or dislocation. The patients presented with infection between 7 and 24 months after a period of total recovery. The clinical presentation was variable, although many patients had increasing hip pain. Radiographs showed radiolucency around the lag screw. The bacteriologic finding was usually Staphylococcus aureus, and patients responded to wound debridement, hardware removal, and intravenous antibiotics. In light of these cases of deep, late infection, we strongly urge routine removal of metallic implants as soon as bony healing will allow.