The December 2015 Research Roundup360 looks at: Biomarkers in periprosthetic joint infection; HbA1c and complications in arthroplasty; Getting to the bottom of biofilms; Effective antibiosis for biofilms; Stem cells and avascular necrosis; Predicting LOS in total joint arthroplasty; Long-term antibiotics reduce recurrence in periprosthetic infection
The common recommended treatment for infected
total hip replacement is two-staged exchange including removal of
all components. However, removal of well-fixed femoral stems can
result in structural bone damage. We recently reported on an alternative
treatment of partial two-stage exchange used in selected cases,
in which a well-fixed femoral stem was left and only the acetabular
component removed, the joint space was debrided thoroughly, an antibiotic-laden
polymethylmethacrylate spacer was moulded using a bulb-type syringe
and placed in the acetabulum, intravenous antibiotics were administered
during the interval, and delayed re-implantation was performed.
In 19 patients treated with this technique from January 2000 to
January 2011, 89% were free of infection at a mean follow-up of
four years (2 to 11). Since then, disposable silicone moulds have
become available to fabricate spacers in separate femoral and head
units. The head spacer mould, which incorporates various neck taper adapter
options, greatly facilitates the technique of partial two-stage
exchange. We report our early experience using disposable silicone
head spacer moulds for partial two-stage exchange in seven patients
with infected primary hip replacements. Cite this article:
The August 2014 Wrist &
Hand Roundup360 looks at: Trapeziectomy superior to arthrodesis;
Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) complicates
between 0.5% and 1.2% primary total hip arthroplasties (THAs) and
may have devastating consequences. The traditional assessment of
patients suffering from PJI has involved the serological study of
inflammatory markers and microbiological analysis of samples obtained
from the joint space. Treatment has involved debridement and revision
arthroplasty performed in either one or two stages. We present an update on the burden of PJI, strategies for its
diagnosis and treatment, the challenge of resistant organisms and
the need for definitive evidence to guide the treatment of PJI after
THA. Cite this article:
The December 2015 Shoulder &
Elbow Roundup360 looks at:
The October 2015 Foot &
Ankle Roundup360 looks at: TightRope in Weber C fractures; A second look at the TightRope; Incisional VAC comes of age?; Platelet-derived growth factor and ankle fusions; Achilles tendon rehab in the longer term following surgery; Telemedicine for diabetic foot ulcer