Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital Hip Team Opens Possibility for Treating Artificial Joint Infections Without Removal

(From left) Professor Kyungsun Park, Professor Chanyeong Lee, Researcher Wan Le.

Infections following artificial joint surgery are considered one of the most challenging complications to treat in the field of orthopedics. The reason they do not respond well to antibiotic treatment is due to the 'biofilm' formed by bacteria on the surface of the artificial implant. This film structure protects the bacteria from the external environment, making it difficult to eliminate with medication alone once it has formed.

Amid these treatment limitations, the hip joint team at Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital-comprising Professors Kyungsun Park and Chanyeong Lee, and researcher Wan Le-confirmed through experiments that simply combining disinfectants already in use at the hospital can more effectively remove bacterial films formed on artificial joints. This study suggests the possibility of a new treatment strategy that could treat infections without removing the artificial joint.

According to Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital on January 6, the research team analyzed the antibacterial and biofilm removal effects of applying povidone-iodine solution and hydrogen peroxide solution together on Staphylococcus aureus, the main causative bacterium of artificial joint infections.

The results showed that the combination of the two disinfectants was more effective in eliminating bacteria and destroying biofilms than using either disinfectant alone.

Currently, in the treatment of artificial joint infections, except for acute infections occurring within one month after surgery, the primary recommendation is to surgically remove the infected implant. However, this surgery places a significant physical and psychological burden on patients, and research into alternative methods has been ongoing.

Professor Kyungsun Park explained, "Artificial joint infections are extremely challenging for both patients and medical staff. When bacteria adhere to the surface of artificial joints and form biofilms, they often do not respond to even powerful antibiotics."

He added, "This study is significant in that it demonstrated that simply combining disinfectants already used in clinical practice can enhance the effectiveness of biofilm removal."

The research team's paper is titled "Povidone-Iodine and Hydrogen Peroxide Combination Improves the Anti-Biofilm Activity of the Individual Agents on Staphylococcus aureus."

This research was published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, an international SCI(E)-level journal in the field of molecular and biomedical sciences. It was recognized for both its scientific validity and clinical applicability, and recently received the 2025 International Academic Award from the Korean Hip Society.

Professor Park stated, "If further research verifies its applicability in actual clinical practice, this could become a new treatment strategy that enables infection treatment without removing the artificial joint."