[Pediatric septic shoulder arthritis. Is routine arthrotomy still necessary?].

Background: Arthrotomy is recommended as a routine treatment for childhood septic arthritis of the shoulder, although scientific evidence is lacking. Suggested alternatives are arthroscopic lavage, serial aspirations and a mere diagnostic aspiration.

Material And Methods: 9 patients with septic arthritis of the shoulder aged 3 months to 12 years underwent a diagnostic aspiration after which large dose antimicrobials were given qid (clindamycin or 1st generation cephalosporin).

Results: One child underwent arthrotomy, otherwise all patients recovered normally. There were no sequelae.

Conclusions: Routine arthrotomy for all patients is of questionable value in the emergency treatment of septic shoulder arthritis in children.