The treatment of experimental osteomyelitis by surgical debridement and the implantation of calcium sulfate tobramycin pellets.

Calcium sulfate was used as a biodegradable delivery system for the administration of antibiotics in musculoskeletal infection. New Zealand white rabbits were infected with Staplylococcus aureus, debrided, and randomized to one of four treatment groups: calcium sulfate pellets with 10% tobramycin sulfate, placebo calcium sulfate pellets and IM tobramycin, placebo calcium sulfate pellets, or debridement. Serum and wound exudate tobramycin concentrations and serum calcium levels were measured. Radiographs, cultures, and histology were analyzed for efficacy and treatment. Rabbits treated with 10% tobramycin sulfate pellets showed a significantly higher eradication of infection (11/13) than rabbits treated with debridement only (5/12), placebo pellets and IM tobramycin (5/14). or placebo pellets (3/13). In the group receiving 10% tobramycin sulfate pellets, serum tobramycin concentrations peaked 3 h post-operatively at 5.87 microg/ml and were non-detectable after day 1. In the group receiving placebo pellets and IM tobramycin, serum concentrations peaked at 7.82 microg/ml 1 h post-operatively, fell to 6.12 microg/ml on day 2, and averaged 4.18 microg/ ml for the remainder of the treatment period. The wound exudate tobramycin concentrations in the animals treated with tobramycin sulfate pellets peaked at 11.9 mg/ml on day 1 and dropped to 2.5 microg/ml on day 7. There was no significant difference in the serum calcium levels in any of the treatment groups. Calcium sulfate containing tobramycin sulfate has potential utility as a biodegradable local antibiotic delivery system in the treatment of musculoskeletal infections.     

Treatment of haematogenous pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis by single-stage anterior debridement, grafting of the defect and posterior instrumentation

Anterior debridement, grafting of the defect and posterior instrumentation as a single-stage procedure is a controversial method of managing pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis. Between 1994 and 2005, 37 patients underwent this procedure at our hospital, of which two died and three had inadequate follow-up. The remaining 32 were reviewed for a mean of 36 months (12 to 66). Their mean age was 48 years (17 to 68). A significant pre-operative neurological deficit was present in 13 patients (41%). The mean duration of surgery was 285 minutes (240 to 360) and the mean blood loss was 900 ml (300 to 1600). Pyogenic organisms were isolated in 21 patients (66%). All patients began to mobilise on the second post-operative day. The mean hospital stay was 13.6 days (10 to 20). Appropriate antibiotics were administered for 10 to 12 weeks. Early wound infection occurred in four patients (12.5%), and late infection in two (6.3%). At final follow-up, the infection had resolved in all patients, neurological recovery was seen in ten of 13 (76.9%) and interbody fusion had occurred in 30 (94%). The clinical outcome was excellent or good in 30 patients according to Macnab's criteria. This surgical protocol can be used to good effect in patients with pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis when combined with appropriate antibiotic therapy.     

Cierny-Mader Type III chronic osteomyelitis: the results of patients treated with debridement,irrigation, vancomycin beads and systemic antibiotics

Cierny-Mader (C-M) Type III osteomyelitis is defined as a localised lesion with both medullary and cortical involvement that is stable mechanically after debridement. The treatment of C-M Type III osteomyelitisis is difficult and requires a precise protocol to achieve a disease-free long-term follow-up. We report here the results of our study on 26 patients (19 men and 7 women; average age: 34.7 years) with C-M Type III osteomylelitis who were treated with radical debridement, irrigation, vancomycin-impregnated custom-made beads and culture-specific systemic antibiotics. Those patients with metaphyseal involvement were treated with deroofing of the cortex and debridement by means of a "trough" (16 patients); those with diaphyseal involvement were treated with both intramedullary reaming and debridement from a trough (ten patients). Antibiotic cement rods were used as an additional therapy in five patients with diaphyseal involvement. Recurrence developed in three patients and was attributed to inadequate debridement; all three patients were treated again in the same manner with success. The mean follow-up is currently 3.6 years (range: 2-6 years). All of the patients have normal clinical, radiographic and laboratory parameters, and all are ambulatory and have returned to their pretreatment level of activity or better. We conclude that C-M Type III chronic osteomyelitis can be safely treated with this protocol.     

Simultaneous placement of long-term central venous catheters and surgical debridement for treatment of osteomyelitis

Nonhealing wounds with underlying osteomyelitis require surgical debridement and a course of intravenous antibiotics usually via long-term venous catheter. Fear of catheter infection resulting from bacteremia or direct cross-contamination has traditionally led to staged procedures. A protocol for simultaneous placement of a long-term central venous catheter (Hickman) for antibiotic therapy and surgical debridement of chronic wounds with osteomyelitis does not result in elevated catheter-related infections. We conducted a prospective consecutive trial at a community-based tertiary-care training hospital. From October 1995 through June 1997 100 consecutive patients received 105 central venous catheters and surgical debridement for treatment of chronic wounds with underlying osteomyelitis at the same operative setting. Four catheters required removal because of infectious complications. There was no correlation between the bacteria cultured from the central venous line or blood cultures and the wound cultures. Combining placement of long-term central venous catheters and surgical debridement of chronic wounds with osteomyelitis at one operative setting results in an acceptably low catheter infection rate.     

Treatment of hematogenous pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis with anterior debridement and primary bone grafting

From 1971 to 1984 at the University of Rochester Medical Center, 23 adult patients underwent surgical treatment via an anterior approach for pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis. Data from 21 patients with greater than 2-year follow-up is presented in this report. Surgical debridement via an anterior approach was performed in all 21 patients. Bone grafting with iliac crest or rib strut was done in 19 patients. Clinical follow-up averaged 4 years, with a range of 2 years to 9 years, 9 months. No patient had a recurrence of osteomyelitis. All patients with neurologic deficits recovered without functional motor or sensory deficits. Of the 19 patients grafted, 18 showed roentgenographic evidence of fusion, and one went on to a pseudarthrosis. The average increase in kyphosis at the infection site was 3 degrees. In selected patients with pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis requiring surgical treatment, anterior debridement and primary bone grafting in conjunction with appropriate antibiotics is successful in treating the infection and promoting osseous fusion in a high percentage of cases.     

Treatment of chronic osteomyelitis of the lower extremities with debridement and microvascular muscle transfer.

Of our 55 patients treated for lower extremity osteomyelitis, 91% underwent debridement and microvascular muscle flap coverage with eradication of their infections and restoration of ambulation. This series of patients helps to solidly establish the efficacy of this approach to the treatment of osteomyelitis.     

Treatment of experimental osteomyelitis with dimexid, protease inhibitors and proteolytic enzymes

Acute osteomyelitis of the tibial bone was induced in 100 young rabbits. Four series of experiments were conducted. Treatment of osteomyelitis began from the 15th day after challenge. Antibiotics were used for the treatment of all the animals. The best results were obtained in the series where rabbits were injected dimexid intraosseously in addition to antibiotics. Unsatisfactory results were obtained in the series where the animals were given tripsin in addition to antibiotics. In 14 rabbits extensive phlegmonas developed and 8 rabbits died. Roentgenograms revealed extensive destruction of bones.     

Thoracoscopic debridement and stabilization of pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis

The role of surgical debridement and internal fixation in treatment of vertebral osteomyelitis has been evolving. The standard surgical approach to thoracolumbar vertebral osteomyelitis requiring extensive thoracotomy or retroperitoneal exposure carries significant associated morbidity and postoperative pain. Minimally invasive thoracoscopic spine surgery is designed to improve postoperative morbidity associated with the traditional open surgery. We report a case of a 70-year-old man who developed T11-T12 pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis 3 months after undergoing posterior laminectomy and microsurgical excision of a herniated thoracic disc. The patient underwent minimally invasive thoracoscopic radical debridement and anterior spinal reconstruction and fusion. Patients with vertebral osteomyelitis may benefit from the decreased postoperative morbidity that is associated with minimally invasive thoracoscopic spinal surgery.     

一期病灶清除载药磷酸钙人工骨充填治疗慢性骨髓炎

目的 探讨一期病灶清除载药磷酸钙人工骨(CPC)充填治疗慢性骨髓炎的临床疗效:方法 22例慢性骨髓炎患者行彻底清创后,一期植入载药CPC.结果 22例获随访(26.3±6.5)个月,患者术后均未出现过敏或毒性反应,无皮疹或高热;随访期间均无骨髓炎复发.未见明显的全身反应,无再骨折;X线片显示植入CPC与宿主骨接触紧密,界面处未见间隙存在,骨缺损处的解剖形状完全或大部分恢复,未见脱落现象,随访期内18例患者CPC部分降解成骨.结论 在病灶清除后,载药CPC一期充填残留的感染性骨缺损治疗慢性骨髓炎可有效控制感染.     

一期前路病灶清除植骨内固定术治疗颈椎化脓性感染

目的：探讨前路病灶清除并取自体骨植骨钛板固定术治疗颈椎化脓性感染的疗效。方法回顾性研究2008年1月至2013年1月收治的12例颈椎椎体化脓性感染患者,其中男8例,女4例;年龄为41~71岁,平均56.7岁。所有患者均有较为严重的颈肩部疼痛,4例伴神经功能损害;术前疼痛视觉模拟量表（visual analogue scale, VAS）评分为7~10分,平均（8.1±1.5）分;按照日本骨科协会（Japanese Or?thopaedic Association, JOA）颈椎评分标准评分为7~11分,平均（9.2±1.5）分。所有患者诊断明确,均行手术治疗,术后局部行闭式冲洗并结合敏感抗生素静脉治疗不少于6周。结果患者获得12~24个月的随访,平均18.5个月,所有患者术后症状明显改善,末次随访复查植骨融合,无内固定物失败。所有患者感染病灶无复发,神经功能均完全恢复正常。无严重并发症出现,仅有1例出现伤口皮下积液故延迟1周愈合。结论一期前路病灶清除植骨融合内固定治疗颈椎化脓性感染,结合后期规范的敏感抗生素治疗,能够取得良好的效果。     

Anterior debridement, fusion, and extrafocal stabilization in the treatment of osteomyelitis of the spine

To simplify and shorten the rehabilitation after anterior debridement and fusion in pyogenic and tuberculous osteomyelitis of the spine, the role of additional extrafocal dorsal transpedicular instrumentation was studied. Thirty-three (10 female, 23 male) patients were followed up in a prospective study and controlled with an average follow-up period of 22.1 months after the operation with clinical and neurologic check-up, blood test, and serial radiographs. Solid bony fusion and healing of the infection was achieved in all patients. Preoperative deformities could be corrected, and there were no life-threatening complications. Dorsal extrafocal stabilization offered the advantage of braceless rehabilitation without adding unpredictable risks.     

Gentamicin-PMMA beads in the treatment of chronic osteomyelitis

Fifty cases of chronic osteomyelitis, associated with septic arthritis in five cases, were treated with radical surgery, systemic antibiotics, and insertion of gentamicin-PMMA beads. Seven cases were lost to follow-up. The remaining 43 cases were followed up for an average of 14 months. All but four cases healed.     

Gentamicin-PMMA beads in the treatment of chronic osteomyelitis

Fifty cases of chronic osteomyelitis, associated with septic arthritis in five cases, were treated with radical surgery, systemic antibiotics, and insertion of gentamicin-PMMA beads. Seven cases were lost to follow-up. The remaining 43 cases were followed up for an average of 14 months. All but four cases healed.     

Treatment of osteonecrosis of the femoral head with thorough debridement,bone grafting and bone-marrow mononuclear cells implantation

Osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) is a disease with a wide-ranging etiology and poorly understood pathogenesis seen commonly in young patients. Various head-preserving procedures have been used to avert the need for total hip replacement. These include vascularized and non-vascularized bone grafting procedures, bone marrow containing osteogenic precursors implanted into the necrotic lesion. We use drills, curettes, broaches under image intensifier to perform a thorough debridement of all necrotic lesion, pack autogenous cortical and cancellous bone which were harvested from the ipsilateral iliac crest tightly into the femoral head, implant bone-marrow mononuclear cells containing mesenchymal stem cells into the necrotic lesion. The study included 15 patients (20 hips, 10 males, 5 females, mean age 35 years, range 23–58 years) with stage II–III ONFH according to the association research circulation osseous classification. The outcome was determined by changes in the Harris hip score (HHS), by progression in radiographic stages, and by the need for hip arthroplasty. The mean follow-up was 24 months (range 9–36 months). The mean HHS increased from 64 to 85 points. The overall clinical success rate is 80 %. There were no infection, femoral neck fracture or other complications. Thorough debridement, autogenous bone grafting and bone-marrow mononuclear cells implantation is an effective procedure in patient with small lesion, early-stage ONFH.     

Treatment of chronic osteomyelitis secondary to hydatid disease of bone using gentamycin beads

Hydatid disease of bone is rare. It remains asymptomatic over a long period. It is usually detected after a pathological fracture or secondary infection or following the onset of compressive myelopathy in cases of vertebral lesions. Secondary infection of hydatid disease of bone could be difficult to treat. The authors present a case of chronic osteomyelitis of the proximal aspect of the left femur in a 37-year-old male patient secondary to hydatid disease of bone. It was treated by aggressive debridement, gentamycin beads, and bone graft to fill the defect. No recurrence of the hydatid lesion or infection was detected after 2 years. This case showed that in addition to aggressive debridement, gentamycin beads may be valuable in eradicating the infection in such a case.