Abstract
BACKGROUND: Continuous local antibiotic perfusion (CLAP) is a method for preserving tissue and function against surgical site infections (SSIs) after shoulder surgery. METHODS: To describe the application of the novel CLAP technique to 10 patients with SSIs after shoulder surgery that were not controlled with repeated surgical débridement or elderly patients who are insufficient physical resilience for further surgeries. RESULTS: CLAP, consisting of gentamicin, was performed for 2 weeks, after which the infection was well-controlled. The white blood cell count and C-reactive protein level improved rapidly within 1 week of initiating CLAP, after which the patients were switched to oral antibiotics for 3 months. None of the patients experienced any adverse events. CONCLUSION: CLAP for SSIs after shoulder surgery was successful in preserving implants and grafts. The SSIs were controlled with no adverse events. CLAP may be an important treatment option for SSIs after shoulder surgery.