Abstract
Aim
Periprosthetic joint infections are a devastating complication after modular endoprosthetic reconstruction following resection of a musculoskeletal tumour. Due to long operating times, soft tissue dissection and immunosuppression, the infection rate after limb salvage is high and ranges between 8% and 15%. The aim of this retrospective single centre study was to assess the reinfection and re-reinfection rate after septic complications of megaprostheses.
Method
In this retrospective study, 627 patients with a primary replacement of a musculoskeletal tumour of the lower limb and reconstruction by a megaprosthesis were recorded from 1983 – 2016. 83 out of 621 patients available for follow-up experienced an infection (13.4%). Two patients were treated with debridement and removal of the mobile parts, 61 patients with a one-stage revision, 16 patients with a two-stage revision, and 4 patients with an amputation. The mean follow up was 133 months (range: 2 – 423 months).
Results
The reinfection rates after debridement, one-stage revision, two-stage revision, and amputation were 100% (CI 95%: 20 −100%), 49% (CI 95%: 36 – 62%), 38% (CI 95%: 6 – 76%), and 0%, respectively. A reinfection occurred after a mean of 38,7 months (range: 0 to 201 months). The most commonly isolated microorganisms were coagulase negative Staphylococci, followed by Staphylococcus aureus. A re-reinfection occurred in 100% after debridement, in 44% (CI 95%: 22 – 69%) after one-stage revision, in 55% (CI 95%: 31 – 91%) after two-stage revision, and 0% after amputation. Regarding two-stage revision, there was a statistically significant difference in infection rates between patients treated with complete removal of the megaprosthesis and patients with at least one retained component (Fisher's exact test, p = 0.027).
Conclusions
Septic failures after megaprosthesis reconstruction of a musculoskeletal tumour of the lower limb are difficult to treat and show high reinfection and re-reinfection rates. A two-stage revision with removal of all components showed the best results among limb salvage procedures for periprosthetic megaprosthesis infection.
