Yen, Hung TengHung TengYenHsieh, Ronan W.Ronan W.HsiehHuang, Chung YenChung YenHuangHsu, Tzu ChunTzu ChunHsuYeh, TimothyTimothyYehYEE-CHUN CHENWEN-SHAN CHENCHIEN-CHANG LEE2019-11-122019-11-122019-09-0103057453https://scholars.lib.ntu.edu.tw/handle/123456789/431113© 2019 The Author(s) 2019. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. All rights reserved. Background: Prosthetic joint infections (PJIs) often require long-course antibiotic therapy. However, recent studies argue against the current practice and raise concerns such as the development of antibiotic resistance, side effects of medications and medical costs. Objectives: To review and compare the outcomes of short-course and long-course antibiotics in PJIs. Methods: We conducted a systemic review and meta-analysis using a predefined search term in PubMed and EMBASE databases. Studies that met the inclusion criteria from inception to June 2018 were included. The quality of the included studies was assessed. Results: A total of 10 articles and 856 patients were analysed, comprising 9 observational studies and 1 randomized controlled trial. Our meta-analysis showed no significant difference between short-course and long-course antibiotics (relative risk=0.87, 95% CI=0.62-1.22). Additionally, the older the studied group was, the more short-course antibiotics were favoured. Conclusions: When treating PJI patients following debridement, antibiotics and implant retention, an 8 week course of antibiotic therapy for total hip arthroplasty and a 75 day course for total knee arthroplasty may be a safe approach. For two-stage exchange, a shorter duration of antibiotic treatment during implant-free periods is also generally safe with the usage of antibiotic-loaded cement spacers.en[SDGs]SDG3journal article10.1093/jac/dkz166310507582-s2.0-85072056602WOS:000487303300004https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/85072056602