pacemaker infection

My dad is being evaluated right now for an infection in his pacemaker.  It is possible that the pacemaker showed some infection in 2003.  He had a total knee replacement 3 years which also continues to show signs of infection.  He's been told that removing the pacemaker and lead wires is a "train wreck".  I am hoping he will get a 2nd opinion with Dr. Wilkoff at Cleveland Clinic.  Just wondering, what is the success rate at cleveland clinic when it comes to removing the pacemaker and lead wires and clearing the infection?  I am also wondering, do you think the total knee replacement will also have to be removed in order to clear his body of infection?  How long does it usually take before the pacemaker can be replaced? He's been told that a temporary outside of the body pacemaker cannot be used in the interim due to the lead wires, is that true?  And if the artificial knee has to be removed, how long before it can be replaced?  Thank you so much for your input!!

[CCF HeartMD3]

Pacemaker and artificial joint infections can be challenging to treat. Optimal treatment includes a multidisciplinary team approach involving electrophysiologist (who manage the pacemaker), orthopedic surgeons (who manage the joints) and infectious disease doctors who help with the timing of the replacements and antibiotic selection. The treatment decisions are individualized and vary depending on the infectious organism, type of joint replacement, reason for pacemaker, etc.

In general, removing the pacemaker and pacemaker leads can be accomplished with a high degree of success. The bigger problem is the risk of recurrent infection since replacing pacemakers and redoing knee operations by themselves in the routine setting increases the risk of infection.  This risk is even higher in situations where there is active infection at the time of replacement.