Laser Disinfection Acts as Biofilm-Disrupter in Periprosthetic Joint Infection (PJI).

ABSTRACT: Infections after joint arthroplasties represent a devastating and progressively escalating complication with increased morbidity and mortality. The eradication of biofilms from infected implants is still an unsolved challenge. The erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Er:YAG) laser, which delivers high-energy light for rapid tissue ablation, may offer an advancement. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of this laser in removing biofilms from infected implant surfaces. In this prospective study, 31 patients with 33 early postoperative or acute hematogenous periprosthetic joint infections (PJIs) were treated with our modified procedure of debridement, antibiotics, laser irradiation and implant retention (DALIR). Biofilm removal was compared between mechanical cleansing alone and t

SUBMITTER: Kriechbaumer LK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12712422 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature