The Evidence for the Management of Deep Infection after Rotator Cuff Repair

The incidence of deep wound infection following rotator cuff repair is rare, although it can cause significant problems with respect to diagnosis and treatment. Sub-optimal management may result in the loss of the chondral surfaces, the rotator cuff and the deltoid musculature, and also result in septic arthritis of the glenohumeral joint. This review presents data from 10,457 rotator cuff repairs with 92 confirmed deep wound infections. It discusses the rate and presentation of infections, as well as the bacteria involved and the treatment used. From this, a set of principles to guide best practice is proposed.