Outcomes and Complications of Arthroscopic Treatment for Septic Arthritis of the Hip: A Systematic Review.

Objectives: The exact role and safety of arthroscopy in SAH management remain contentious. This systematic review aims to assess the outcomes and complications of arthroscopic treatment, shedding light on its efficacy and safety profile.

Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, searches were conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science until January 25, 2024. Eligible studies included SAH patients undergoing arthroscopic treatment. Data extraction covered demographics, clinical findings, and functional outcomes. Quality assessment used NIH case series assessment and Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Quantitative analysis focused on Hip Harris Score, post-operative pain rate, and revision rate using a random-effects model. Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (CMA) software version 3.3 facilitated analyses.

Results: The primary search yielded 1,662 articles, after screening the records, 35 study included. In case report studies, 18 patients were analyzed with an average age of 33.7 years. Complications included joint ankylosis, osteonecrosis, muscle atrophy, and osteopenia. Revision surgery was performed in three cases, with one due to infection. In case series studies, 295 patients with an average age of 15.6 years had complications such as joint collapse, femoral nerve palsy, and avascular necrosis. Thirteen revision cases were reported. Among 18 case series, arthroscopic complications were noted in nine studies, while six studies reported none. Full range of motion was achieved in 13 studies, and pain resolution in 11.

Conclusion: Utilizing arthroscopic techniques for treating septic arthritis of the hip represents a safe, effective, and minimally invasive choice, demonstrating favorable clinical results, relatively low rates of revision and complications, and rapid rehabilitation periods.