Articles | Volume 11, issue 3
https://doi.org/10.5194/jbji-11-277-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/jbji-11-277-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
The use of debridement, antibiotic pearls, and implant retention (DAPRI) in the management of acute periprosthetic joint infections: a systematic review
Doriana Di Costa
Department of Orthopaedics, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
Giacomo Capece
Department of Orthopaedics, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
Donato Coppola
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Department of Orthopaedics, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
Elena Matteini
National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
Pierluigi Del Vecchio
UOC Malattie Infettive, Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Chirurgiche, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
Francesco Taccari
UOC Malattie Infettive, Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Chirurgiche, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
Giuseppe Maccagnano
UOC Ortopedia e Traumatologia Universitaria, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria “Ospedali Riuniti” di Foggia, Foggia, Italy
Carlo Torti
Sezione Malattie Infettive, Dipartimento di Sicurezza e Bioetica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
UOC Malattie Infettive, Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Chirurgiche, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
Giulio Maccauro
Department of Orthopaedics, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
Raffaele Vitiello
Department of Orthopaedics, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
Latest update: 19 May 2026
Short summary
This systematic review evaluates debridement, antibiotic pearls and implant retention (DAPR) as a treatment option for acute periprosthetic joint infection. Analysis of available clinical studies shows encouraging infection control rates with few complications, suggesting that this approach may help to preserve implants in selected patients. However, current evidence is limited, and larger well-designed studies are needed to confirm its effectiveness and clarify its role in clinical practice.
This systematic review evaluates debridement, antibiotic pearls and implant retention (DAPR) as...