Antibiotic-impregnated cement spacer versus antibiotic irrigating metal spacer for infection management after THA

We prospectively compared the effects of an antibiotic-impregnated cement spacer and an antibiotic irrigating metal spacer in the treatment of infections after total hip arthroplasty (THA) to determine a better method for 2-stage revision of infected THA. We used a uniform protocol of a 3-month spacer interval and specific local and systemic antibiotic therapies. The clinical outcome was determined by assessing operation time, blood loss during spacer implantation, hospital stay and time in bed, and joint function. The patients were followed for a mean 61.4 months (range, 24-94 months). Antibiotic-impregnated cement spacers had a higher rate of infection control than antibiotic irrigating metal spacers (96.2% vs 76%, respectively; P<.01), with no recurrence of infections or implant loosening. Patients receiving antibiotic-impregnated cement spacers had a shorter operation time (2.42±0.65 vs 3.34±0.36 hours metal spacers; P<.01), less blood loss (1085.48±279.49 vs 1964.78±469.23 mL metal spacers; P<.01), a shorter hospital stay (24.53±4.72 days vs 51.36±3.46 days metal spacers; P<.01), and better function before the second step of the 2-stage revision (Harris Hip Score, 88.16±6.94 vs 79.54±6.48 metal spacers; P<.05), and they were free from long-term irrigation. Compared with the antibiotic irrigating metal spacer, the antibiotic-impregnated cement spacer is characterized by higher infection control rate, better joint function recovery before the second operation, shorter operation time, and less blood loss, with no continuous irrigation required.     

Delayed-onset Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection with staphylococcal superinfection after total knee replacement

Infection of a total joint replacement with Mycobacterium tuberculosis is uncommon in North America. This case describes a staphylococcal superinfection that masked an underlying tuberculous infection after total knee replacement and subsequent placement of a cement spacer. The patient had no evidence of M tuberculosis infection elsewhere. The most common explanation for these events is local reactivation of quiescent tuberculosis of the knee joint. The patient was treated successfully with surgical débridement, arthrodesis, and antituberculous medication.     

Infected total knee arthroplasty treated by arthroscopic irrigation and débridement

Sixteen patients with infected total knee arthroplasties (4 postoperative and 12 late hematogenous) were treated by arthroscopic irrigation and débridement. All patients had < or = 7 days of knee symptoms, and there were no radiographic signs of osteitis or prosthetic loosening. Six of the 16 original total knee arthroplasties (38%) did not need prosthesis removal at a mean follow-up of 64 months (range, 36-151 months). Ten other knees were treated with irrigation, débridement, and hardware removal within 7 weeks of the latest procedure used to try to retain components. Two (13%) of these cases ultimately required an arthrodesis for persistent infection. Although we still believe that this method is preferable to resorting immediately to implant removal for acute infections, arthroscopic débridement was less efficacious for most situations when compared with open treatment. We would use arthroscopic irrigation and débridement only under selected circumstances (medically unstable or anticoagulated patients).     

Two-Stage Exchange for Infected Resurfacing Arthroplasty : Use of a Novel Cement Spacer Technique

Infection after total hip arthroplasty is a devastating complication. A 2-stage reimplantation with antibiotic-impregnated interval spacer is typically recommended. We present a case of infected resurfacing hip arthroplasty treated with a novel cement spacer technique. The aim was to avoid the introduction of the infection into the femoral medullary canal with the use of a conventional stemmed antibiotic cement spacer. Reimplantation was accomplished routinely, and the patient remains infection-free at 9 months.     

Two-stage exchange for infected resurfacing arthroplasty: use of a novel cement spacer technique

Infection after total hip arthroplasty is a devastating complication. A 2-stage reimplantation with antibiotic-impregnated interval spacer is typically recommended. We present a case of infected resurfacing hip arthroplasty treated with a novel cement spacer technique. The aim was to avoid the introduction of the infection into the femoral medullary canal with the use of a conventional stemmed antibiotic cement spacer. Reimplantation was accomplished routinely, and the patient remains infection-free at 9 months.     

Streptococcus dysgalactiae subspecies dysgalactiae infection after total knee arthroplasty: a case report

Streptococcus dysgalactiae subspecies dysgalactiae (SDSD), Lancefield group C streptococcus, is an animal pathogen which often causes pyogenic infection in domestic animals. Human infection by SDSD has been reported as a cellulitis on the upper arm, but a prosthetic joint infection caused by SDSD after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has not yet been reported in the literature demonstrating that its clinical manifestation and management have not been well established. In this case report, we aimed to present a case of SDSD prosthetic joint infection after TKA, which was successfully treated by two-stage re-implantation with an application of antibiotic-impregnated cement spacer.     

Comparison of various surgical methods in the treatment of implant-related infection

The treatment of implant-related infections is troublesome. This study was conducted to compare the effectiveness of three different surgical modalities in the treatment of implant-related infection. A total of 32 Wistar albino rats were randomised into four groups after the establishment of implant-related infection: no treatment, surgical débridement, antibiotic-loaded bone cement and antibiotic-loaded autogenous bone. Microbiological colony counts were made at the sixth week in order to evaluate the effectiveness of of the treatments. The antibiotic-loaded bone cement group revealed superior results compared with the other groups in terms of reduction of microbiological colonies. Three animals in the bone cement group revealed extensive infection. Although antibiotic-loaded bone cement showed superiority over other treatment modalities, it should be employed after an unsuccessful trial of débridement because of the risk of extensive infection.     

Application of temporarily functional antibiotic-containing bone cement prosthesis in revision hip arthroplasty

Purpose

To investigate the clinical outcome of two-stage revision total hip arthroplasty for infected hip arthroplasty using antibiotic-impregnated cement prosthesis.

Materials and methods

Forty-one patients, who suffered from an infection after hip replacement or internal fixation of femoral neck and trochanteric fractures, were treated with a two-stage revision hip arthroplasty and followed up for an average of 37 months. All the patients were implanted with antibiotic-impregnated cement prosthesis as one-stage treatment and were then managed with two-stage revision hip arthroplasty after 12–24 weeks. During the follow-up, Merle d’Aubigné hip score and Harris score were employed for assessment of hip function, and infection recurrence was observed.

Results

According to Merle d’Aubigné hip score, 16 patients (39.2 %) were excellent, 19 (46.3 %) were good, 6 (14.6 %) were moderate, and no bad result and the average score was 15.42. Mean Harris score of preoperation, interval period, and postoperation was 46.7, 66.5, and 92.3, respectively. There was no infection recurrence.

Conclusion

Two-stage revision total hip arthroplasty for infected hip arthroplasty using antibiotic-impregnated cement prosthesis has a satisfying clinical outcome.     

Custom total femur spacer and second-stage total femur arthroplasty as a novel approach to infection and periprosthetic fracture

Total femur arthroplasty procedures have previously been used after tumor excision and as a last resort for failed revision arthroplasty. The patient in this case presented with massive loss of femoral bone stock, a periprosthetic fracture, and recurrent Staphylococcus epidermidis infection. A specially designed total femoral spacer impregnated with antibiotics was created for a 2-stage revision procedure that successfully restored functional ability and eradicated the infection. Although 2-stage protocols with spacers have been used to treat persistent infections after hip and knee arthroplasty, this is the first reported instance of the creation of a total femur antibiotic-impregnated cement spacer and subsequent total femoral arthroplasty as a 2-stage protocol at our institution.     

Cement spacer loaded with antibiotics for infected implants of the hip joint

It is difficult to treat infected implants of the hip joints. Such treatment involves immeasurable physical and psychological suffering of the patients. We used antibiotic-impregnated cement spacers in 17 cases of infection after total hip arthroplasty and bipolar arthroplasty with good clinical results. We thoroughly removed any foreign material and formed an antibiotic-impregnated cement spacer into a similar shape as that of the implants. A cement spacer enables high-concentration antibiotics to act on infected sites. Also, it can prevent leg length discrepancy and atrophy of bones or muscles. Although cement spacers have been reported to have problems regarding shape and strength, we achieved good results with a cement spacer mold in the present study. No recurring infection has been found at a mean follow-up period of 3 years and 2 months.     

髋关节置换术后迟发性感染的诊断与治疗

目的探讨髋关节置换术后迟发性感染的诊断和治疗方法。方法对1998年3月至2004年4月收治的11例髋关节置换术后迟发性感染病例进行回顾性分析。男4例,女7例;年龄49￣81岁,平均66岁。11例患者均有疼痛症状,感染距初次手术的时间9￣96个月,平均25.5个月。5例有窦道,8例C反应蛋白增高,9例血沉增快,10例X线片有包括骨溶解、假体松动、新骨形成等阳性表现;行窦道造影检查2例,均发现窦道的近端与关节假体相通。关节穿刺1例,细菌培养结果阴性,术中取标本行细菌培养仍为阴性;同位素99mTc骨扫描1例,发现围绕假体周围均匀的放射性核素浓聚;细菌培养阳性9例,阴性2例。一期翻修8例,其中普通骨水泥固定1例,抗生素骨水泥固定7例;二期翻修3例,在取出假体、彻底清创后,分别放置了三种临时假体间隔器(抗生素骨水泥团、庆大霉素链珠、多孔可灌注Spacer各1例),感染控制后,安放翻修假体,抗生素骨水泥固定。结果术中股骨干骨折1例,无关节脱位、神经血管损伤、静脉血栓等并发症发生。11例患者的感染都得到控制,随访8～72个月,平均29.3个月,感染未见复发。结论髋关节置换术后迟发性感染尚无100%的特异性检查,需要对患者的病史、体征及实验室检查、影像学检查、病原学以及病理学检查结果进行综合分析,才能作出正确的诊断;根据个体情况,选择相应的手术方式是治疗成功的关键。     

Successful treatment of total hip and knee infection with articulating antibiotic components: a modified treatment method

There are many problems associated with the use of articulating antibiotic cement spacer blocks and articulating components in the two-stage treatment of total hip replacement and total knee replacement infections. These include loss of motion during and after treatment, bone loss, generation of cement debris, inadequate dosing of cement with the appropriate antibiotic, and biologic failure. Forty-four patients with 54 consecutive periprosthetic hip and knee infections (31 septic total knee arthroplasties and 23 septic total hip arthroplasties) had treatment with a modified two-stage reimplantation protocol using articulating components made of antibiotic-cement-only prosthetic components and antibiotic-cement-covered prosthetic components between January 1995 and May 2002. Second-stage revision, after six weeks of parenteral antibiotics, was completed an average of 84 days after the first stage. A minimum two-year followup after final treatment is evaluated. One of the 23 total hip replacement infections persisted or recurred with the original organism(s) after treatment (95.7% success) as did two of the 31 total knee replacement infections (93.5% success). Combined success rate was 94.4%. This modified treatment method incorporates early range of motion during first-stage treatment with articulating components that provide local high-dose elution of broad-spectrum antibiotics, provides the flexibility of customizing the antibiotic cement components with culture-directed antibiotics, and results in a high biologic success rate.     

Iliac vessel injury by a cement spacer: report of a case

The use of antibiotic-impregnated acrylic cement as a bone spacer between the intervals of revision hip arthroplasty for infection has been widely practiced. Vascular injuries caused by the migration of a cement spacer with subsequent erosion of the vessel wall have never been reported. A 67-year-old woman presented with tense swelling over her left lower extremity and hemarthroses of the left hip after implantation of a cement spacer for infected hip arthroplasty. Complete external compression of the external iliac vein and laceration of the iliac artery by the spacer were found. The symptoms were resolved after surgical debridement, removal of the spacer and femoral stem, and repair of the vessel. Cautious placement of a cement spacer in the acetabular fossa accompanied with poor bone stock must be emphasized.     

A modified cement spacer technique for infected total hip arthroplasties with significant bone loss

Complications related to femoral spacers are common during addressing infected total hip arthroplasties by 2-stage revision. We evaluated 11 patients who had 2-stage revisions with massive bone loss after removal of the infected components by a trochanteric osteotomy. All femoral cement spacers were assembled on intramedullary nails. Femurs were protected by a plate, whereas acetabuli were augmented by a cage or roof ring depending on the remaining bone stock. This additional hardware was covered with antibiotic-impregnated cement. Infection was eradicated in 10 (90.9%) of 11 patients within 3.5 months in average. None of the patients had spacer fracture, periprosthetic fracture, or dislocation. Augmentation by hardware covered with antibiotic-impregnated cement is effective and may reduce complications until definitive treatment is performed.     

Intramedullary rod and cement static spacer construct in chronically infected total knee arthroplasty

Two-stage reimplantation, with interval antibiotic-impregnated cement spacer, is the preferred treatment of prosthetic knee joint infections. In medically compromised hosts with prior failed surgeries, the outcomes are poor. Articulating spacers in such patients render the knee unstable; static spacers have risks of dislocation and extensor mechanism injury. We examined 58 infected total knee arthroplasties with extensive bone and soft tissue loss, treated with resection arthroplasty and intramedullary tibiofemoral rod and antibiotic-laden cement spacer. Thirty-seven patients underwent delayed reimplantation. Most patients (83.8%) were free from recurrent infection at mean follow-up of 29.4 months. Reinfection occurred in 16.2%, which required debridement. Twenty-one patients with poor operative risks remained with the spacer for 11.4 months. All patients, during spacer phase, had brace-free ambulation with simulated tibiofemoral fusion, without bone loss or loss of limb length.     

Mating of a PROSTALAC spacer with an intramedullary nail for reconstruction of an infected interprosthetic femoral shaft fracture: a case report

Reconstruction for concurrent infection of an ipsilateral total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a challenge. We report a 2-stage reconstruction of a THA for chronic infection of both the THA and TKA with severe femoral bone loss secondary to interprosthetic fractures. The reconstruction involved using a custom-made, temporary, antibiotic-impregnated PROSTALAC spacer mated with an intramedullary nail. The acetabulum was then exposed and the necrotic cartilage was removed and curetted. The acetabulum was reamed to accept a PROSTALAC acetabular shell. The shell was cemented into the acetabulum with antibiotic cement. The custom-made spacer was then inserted distally first into the tibia. The distal end of the intramedullary nail was interlocked with a bicortical bolt to minimise nail rotation. Antibiotic-impregnated cement was moulded around the nail and spacer. The proximal end of the spacer was then reduced into the acetabular socket, and the joint was irrigated and the wound closed. A customised abduction brace was fitted, and partial weight bearing was allowed. Sufficient leg length, soft-tissue tension, and range of hip motion were restored, and a total femur and constrained liner was re-implanted 4 months later. Mating of an intramedullary nail with a PROSTALAC spacer is a viable reconstructive option.     

Prolonged implantation of an antibiotic cement spacer for management of shoulder sepsis in compromised patients

The purpose of this report is to present the preliminary results after treatment of shoulder sepsis with prolonged implantation of an antibiotic-loaded cement spacer in a selected group of compromised patients. The current study included 11 patients (9 men and 2 women) with a mean age of 64 years (range, 36-79 years). All patients were treated with radical débridement, implantation of an antibiotic-impregnated polymethylmethacrylate spacer, and 6 weeks of antibiotic therapy. The subjective complaints, range of motion of the shoulder, functional outcome (mini-Quick Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand score), and radiographic findings were evaluated. At a mean follow-up of 22 months (range, 15-26 months), 9 patients were free of infection, with pain relief and adequate shoulder function for activities of daily living. Radiographic evaluation revealed no loosening or fracture of the spacer and no progressive degenerative changes involving the glenoid. Prolonged implantation of the spacer may be a useful alternative in selected patients with poor general condition.     

应用抗菌素骨水泥旷置分期翻修治疗人工髋关节置换术后感染

目的 评估应用抗菌素骨水泥旷置分期翻修（TSEA）治疗髋关节置换术后感染的疗效。方法 1998年1月～2005年1月，采用TSEA治疗8例髋关节置换术后感染患者，所有患者均行细菌培养检查，一期清创假体取出滴注2例，清创后假体取出加PR-40抗菌素骨水泥支架旷置6例；二期翻修采用非骨水泥假体3例，骨水泥型假体3例，混合髋2例；手术前后髋关节功能通过Harris评分评估。结果 4例细菌培养为金黄色葡萄球菌，3例为混合感染，1例细菌培养阴性。一期处理后所有伤口均愈合，一、二期平均间隔5．5个月。术后平均3年4个月随访时髋关节Harris评分由术前31．1分提高至62．9分。结论 TSEA是治疗髋关节置换术后感染非常有效的方法，其中碘氟浸泡髓腔和抗菌素骨水泥旷置是主要手段。骨水泥复合万古霉素对耐受甲氧西林金黄色球菌人工关节感染治疗有效。     

Zweizeitiger Prothesenwechsel bei infizierter Knieendoprothese

OBJECTIVE: Treatment of deep infection of total knee arthroplasty by two-stage reimplantation. Using an articulating spacer may reduce the disadvantages of a static spacer (ligament contracture, muscle atrophy, muscle contraction, arthrofibrosis, and bone loss). Restoration of pain-free loading and ability to walk. INDICATIONS: Late deep infection after total knee arthroplasty. Definition: infection occurring at least 6 weeks after the initial arthroplasty. CONTRAINDICATIONS: Large metaphyseal bony defects of the distal femur and proximal tibia. Missing or insufficient extensor mechanism. SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: The articulating spacer is made intraoperatively by cleaning and autoclaving the explanted femoral component and the tibial polyethylene insert. These components are reinserted by "press-fit cementing" without cement interdigitation into the trabecular bone. The cement is loaded with antibiotic during the same operation (2-4 g antibiotics per 40 g of cement powder). POSTOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT: With the articulating spacer in place, partial weight bearing with crutches and continuous passive motion daily up to a flexion of 90 degrees are allowed. Usually, reimplantation with a standard revision system is scheduled for 6-12 weeks after spacer implantation. RESULTS: In a prospective study 33 consecutive patients were treated from February 2000 to July 2003. The average period of hospitalization after spacer implantation was 14 days (8-26 days). Three patients had recurrent infection (success rate 91%) after a mean follow-up period of 28 months (12-48 months). The average Hospital for Special Surgery Knee Score could be increased from 67 points (44-84 points) preoperatively to 87 points (53-97 points) after reimplantation. The complications were one temporary peroneal palsy, one dislocation of the spacer due to the absence of the extensor ligaments, and one fracture of the tibia due to substantial primary metaphyseal bone loss.     

Antibiotic-impregnated articulating cement spacer for infected total knee arthroplasty

Background:

Standard treatment of chronic infected total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a two-stage revision, the first step being placement of an antibiotic-impregnated cement spacer. Here we describe the results of a new technique (modification of the Goldstien''s technique) for intraoperative manufacture of a customized articulating spacer at minimal cost and with relatively good conformity and longevity.

Materials and Methods:

Thirty-six infected knees underwent this procedure from June 2002 to May 2007. The technique consists of using the freshened femur and tibia interface as molds wrapped in a tin foil for manufacturing the two components of the spacer with antibiotic-impregnated methyl methycrylate cement. We used the spacer and the femoral component of the trial set of a TKA system to mold them to perfect articulation. We also reinforced the spacer with a K-wire scaffold to prevent fracture of the cement mantle in the last 21 cases.

Results:

All 36 knees showed excellent results in terms of infection control, mobility, and stability. There was significant improvement in the WOMAC and Knee Society Scores (20 and 39 points respectively). There were two fractures of the spacers in the initial 15 cases that did not have K-wire scaffolding but none in the last 21 that had reinforcement.

Conclusion:

This technique provides a more conforming spacer, with good range of motion and stability. The reinforcement helps in preventing the fracture of the cement mantle and is cost effective.