Introduction: Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) remains one of the most dreaded and challenging complications in adult reconstruction. While primary total joint arthroplasty is one of the most successful surgeries in medicine, revisions secondary to infections do not hold as well. As the number of primary procedures increases, so will infections. In North America, two-stage exchange arthroplasty is the standard of care for patients with PJI, especially when the presentation is greater than 4 weeks after the index procedure. However, it is not necessarily the best option for all patients, particularly when compared to one-stage arthroplasty.Areas covered: The aim of this review is to analyze the indications, safety, and efficacy of two-stage exchange arthroplasty for the treatment of PJI and to compare the results reported 10 years ago with the ones of recent publications and those of one-stage arthroplasty.Expert opinion: Two-stage exchange arthroplasty is a safe and efficacious treatment particularly suited for recalcitrant infections, resistant organisms, and patients with certain host factors that make it more difficult to eradicate infection. However, one-stage arthroplasty might be well suited as well for infections caused by susceptible organisms and patients with minimal or no comorbidities or those unable to undergo two surgeries.
Keywords: Two-stage exchange arthroplasty; periprosthetic joint infection; total hip arthroplasty; total knee arthroplasty.