Debridement, antimicrobial therapy, and implant retention (DAIR) as curative strategy for acute periprosthetic hip and knee infections: a position paper of the European Bone & Joint Infection Society (EBJIS)

It has been shown that the outcome of a DAIR (debridement, antimicrobial therapy, and implant retention) procedure depends on multiple factors (e.g. infection type, host factors, clinical presentation, condition of surrounding soft tissue, causing pathogen, surgical technique, antimicrobial therapy); therefore, adequate patient selection is key for DAIR success. In this position paper, we discuss the most relevant factors influencing the outcome and define indications, contraindications, and risk factors for a DAIR procedure based on the most robust and most recently published data. Furthermore, we discuss the surgical technique in combination with systemic antimicrobial therapy in patients undergoing a DAIR procedure. This position paper may help reduce reinfection rates as well as the physical, psychological, and economic burden associated with periprosthetic joint infection (PJI). We believe that a reasonable outcome can be achieved with careful patient selection, a dedicated multidisciplinary team, and an appropriate surgical technique and antimicrobial therapy.