**3.4.3 Sonication of explants**

Sonication of explanted prosthesis components to disrupt bacterial biofilms has been assessed by several authors (Achermann et al., 2010; Kobayashi et al., 2006; Trampuz et al., 2003, 2007; Tunney et al., 1998). Culture of the sonication fluid appears to be more sensitive than native sample processing. However, it is cumbersome and not suitable for high-throughput analysis. The possible destruction of planktonic bacteria is an issue that has not been raised systematically to date, but may be of importance in cases of prosthetic infection caused by bacteria which do not establish classical biofilms (Sampedro et al., 2010). There also may be an increased risk of contamination (Holinka et al., 2011; Trampuz et al., 2006).
