Incidence of secondary displacement after osteosynthesis of proximal humerus fractures: a retrospective study of 185 cases.

Proximal humerus fractures are the third most common fracture in patients over 65 years of age. There is no clear consensus regarding their treatment. The objective of this retrospective observational study was to calculate the incidence of secondary displacement after osteosynthesis of these fractures and to identify possible risk factors. 185 cases were reviewed and all osteosynthesized fractures between January 2008 and December 2016 were included. Data collected included age, sex, body mass index, alcohol and tobacco use, bone mineral density of the proximal humerus, fracture type, initial displacement, management time, type of treatment, surgeon's experience and expertise, and postoperative reduction quality. A radiographic follow-up was done at least 3 months following the fracture (until consolidation). The definition of secondary displacement was: varus/valgus displacement >10°, tuberosity translation >5 mm, articular effraction or material breakage. 53 secondary displacements were found, with an incidence of 28.6%. Seventy-two percent were diagnosed at the first follow-up visit, which occurred at an average of 29 days postoperatively. Among all factors studied, only two were statistically significant for secondary displacement: 1) low proximal humeral bone density (defined by a Tingart index <4) appears to be a risk factor, with a calculated relative risk of 2.71 (p = 0.04); and 2) the operator's specialization in the upper limb appears to be a protective factor, with a relative risk of 0.27 (p = 0.01). A similar high incidence of complications after osteosynthesis of the proximal humerus is found in the literature, confirming the difficulty in managing these fractures. More attention should be given to patients with low bone density.

Which is the optimal orthogeriatric care model to prevent mortality of elderly subjects post hip fractures? A systematic review and meta-analysis based on current clinical practice.

BACKGROUND: While there is a general consensus of the impact of an orthogeriatric organisation in terms of elderly patient mortality post hip fracture, it is unclear which, among these various care models, is the most optimal. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature was undertaken using the keywords "Femoral fractures or total hip replacements or Accidental, falls" and "Aged, 80 and over" and "Mortality". The review is presented following PRISMA guidance. RESULTS: Eighteen studies were identified, published between 1988 and 2015. The number of elderly subjects participating in these studies was between 37 and 951; their mean age was 82.6 ± 7.4 years, and average mortality in these studies was 17.7%. The odds ratio (OR) and 95% CI for association between implementation of the orthogeriatric model and mortality in all patients studied were 0.85 (0.74-0.97). In the analysis by subgroup on the type of orthogeriatric model, the group "Orthogeriatric ward" gave homogenous results, with ORs and 95% CIs of 0.62 (0.48-0.80) unlike other models: "Shared care by orthopaedists and geriatricians "and "Geriatric advice in orthopaedic ward". CONCLUSIONS: Elderly patients with hip fracture admitted early into any sort of orthogeriatric models or more specifically to a dedicated orthogeriatric ward had reduced long-term mortality. This study has to be completed by RCT showing the efficacy of orthogeriatric ward compared to other models using outcomes such as quality of life or functional recovery.

[Treatment of osteoarticular infections with clindamycin in adults]. / Traitement des infections ostéoarticulaires par clindamycine chez l'adulte.

UNLABELLED: The main characteristics of clindamycin are adequate for treatment of osteoarticular infections (OAI): good bone diffusion, broad spectrum of antibacterial activity and oral use. METHOD: A number of 61 patients was included in an observational retrospective study of efficacy and tolerance. RESULTS: Prosthetic infections accounted for 50.8% of the cases and chronic osteitis for 36.1%. The causative micro-organisms were Staphylococci (72.2%) and Streptococci (15.3%); 86.5% of these strains were susceptible to erythromycin, 9.6% were erythromycin resistant and susceptible to lincomycin. Clindamycin was associated with either ofloxacine, rifampicin, or teicoplanin in 88.5% and the average course duration was 101 days. A surgical procedure was performed in 84% of cases. Complete cure was obtained in 91.1% at 18 months of follow up. Only one cutaneous rash and one Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea occurred. The other adverse effects were gastrointestinal in 36%, cutaneous in 6.6%, and hematological in 1.6%, but did not lead to discontinuation of therapy. CONCLUSION: Clindamycin can be used in OAI in association with or as an alternative to rifampicin, fluoroquinolones, or glycopeptides according to microbiological data.

[Endoscopic anatomy of the terminal portion of the basilar artery and its distal perforating branches]. / Anatomie endoscopique de la terminaison de l'artère basilaire et de ses perforantes distales.

The aim of this study was to describe and highlight the endoscopic anatomy of the tip of the basilar artery and its perforating branches. Knowledges of the anatomy are crucial for neurosurgeons to avoid pitfalls during endoscopic third ventriculostomy.

[Primary cutaneous mucormycosis: a case report]. / Mucormycose cutanée primaire: à propos d'un cas.

The authors report the clinical history of a patient having presented a cutaneous mucormycosis at the waning of a traumatic dilapidation post of the left lower limb. Mucormycosis is an opportunistic fungal infection due to fungi of the group of mucorales present in the environment. There are various clinical forms of the disease; it occurs generally in a predisposed environment. The diagnosis is based on the mycologic and pathologic examination. The therapeutic approach must be multidisciplinary; the vital and functional prognosis depends on early diagnosis and treatment.

Total knee arthroplasty with the Medial-Pivot knee system: Clinical and radiological outcomes at 9.5 years' mean follow-up.

INTRODUCTION: The "ball-in-socket" design of the Medial-Pivot knee system (MicroPort Orthopedics, Arlington, Tennessee, USA) aims to reproduce normal knee kinematics by medializing its rotational axis. The goal of this study was to measure knee range of motion (ROM) with this implant after a mean follow-up of 10 years and to report the survivorship and long-term clinical and radiological outcomes. We hypothesized the prosthetic knee would have at least 120° flexion at 10 years. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was retrospective, single-centre study of 74 Medial-Pivot knees implanted in 71 patients (average age of 69 years) between May 2005 and November 2007. All patients who received a Medial-Pivot knee were included consecutively. The mean follow-up was 10 years. Clinical and radiological assessments were performed using the Knee Society Score (KSS) and Ewald's score. Kaplan-Meir survival analysis was used to calculate survivorship. RESULTS: Seven percent of cases were lost to follow-up. The knee ROM was 110° at 10 years. The survivorship was 93% for all revision causes and 95.9% when revisions due to trauma or infection were excluded. The mean KSS score was 195. Stable radiolucent lines were found in 14% of cases. No aseptic loosening was observed. CONCLUSION: Our hypothesis was not confirmed. Knee flexion at the final follow-up was comparable to other semi-constrained implant designs but was not as large as expected. The survival of the Medial-Pivot knee at 10 years is good. Its radiological and clinical outcomes are satisfactory. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV (retrospective cohort study).

Epidemiology of venous thromboembolism after lower limb arthroplasty: the FOTO study.

BACKGROUND: In view of recent substantial changes in the management of orthopedic surgery patients, a study was performed in order to update data on the epidemiology of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients undergoing lower limb arthroplasty according to contemporary practise. METHODS: We performed a prospective observational study of a cohort of consecutive patients hospitalized for total hip or knee replacement in June 2003. The primary study outcome was the incidence of symptomatic VTE at 3 months. All events were adjudicated by an independent critical event committee. RESULTS: Data from 1080 patients (mean age 68.0 years) were available; 63.2% were undergoing total hip replacement and 36.8% total knee replacement. Pharmacological thromboprophylaxis was administered for a mean time of 36 days. Injectable antithrombotics were used in more than 99% of patients, irrespective of the type of surgery. The incidence of the primary study outcome was 1.8% (20 events; 95% CI: 1.0-2.6%). The incidences were 1.3% and 2.8% in hip and knee surgery patients, respectively. There were two pulmonary embolisms, both in knee surgery patients; neither was fatal. Thirty-five per cent of VTEs occurred after hospital discharge. An age of at least 75 years and the absence of ambulation before hospital discharge were the only significant (P < 0.05) predictors of VTE. The rate of clinically significant bleeding was 1.0% and the rate of death was 0.9%. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of symptomatic VTE after lower limb arthroplasty is low, even if there is still a need to improve thromboprophylaxis, notably in patients undergoing knee arthroplasty.

[Floating first metacarpal with recurrent trapeziometacarpal dislocation in a subject with hyperlaxity]. / Premier métacarpien flottant avec luxation trapézo-métacarpienne récidivante chez un sujet hyperlaxe.

A case of trapezometacarpal dislocation associated with metacarpophalangeal dislocation (floating first metacarpal) is described. The trapezometacarpal dislocation re-occurred twice despite well conducted orthopedic treatment. Ligamentoplasty of the carpal radial flexor tendon using the Eaton and Littler method then provided an excellent result. Failure of orthopedic treatment was probably related to the congenital hyperlaxity presented by this patient. Considering this hypothesis, the presence of hyperlaxity would affect management practices used for trapezometacarpal dislocation. In the presence of hyperlaxity, it would be preferable to propose first-intention surgery with suture and pinning or ligamentoplasty. Conversely, for patients without hyperlaxity, orthopedic treatment remains the first-intention treatment of choice.

Total hip arthroplasty revision by dual-mobility acetabular cup cemented in a metal reinforcement: A 62 case series at a minimum 5 years' follow-up.

INTRODUCTION: Total hip arthroplasty (THA) requires bone reconstruction in case of severe acetabular injury, with risk of dislocation, especially postoperatively. Dual-mobility cups have proved effective in preventing dislocation in THA revision for instability, but their behavior when cemented in a metal reinforcement has been little studied. OBJECTIVES: The present study assessed results for a dual-mobility cup cemented in a metal reinforcement, in terms of aseptic loosening and postoperative instability. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A single-center continuous series of 62 patients receiving such an assembly in THA revision was assessed retrospectively at a minimum 5 years' follow-up. Failure due to aseptic loosening or instability and implant survival at last follow-up were analyzed. RESULTS: Radiological and clinical analysis was performed at a mean 77 months' follow-up. Mean Merle-d'Aubigné-Postel score was 14, Harris score 73 and Oxford-12 score 23.9 at last follow-up. Complications comprised 5 cases of loosening and 2 of dislocation. Loosening risk was significantly greater in case of<2mm cement thickness between cup and reinforcement. Eight-year infection-free survival was 91.9%. DISCUSSION: The present clinical results were comparable to those in series using the same kind of assembly; the dislocation rate was low, but the rate of aseptic loosening was higher than reported elsewhere. Cement thickness between cup and reinforcement was a determining factor for stability. Cup design may also be relevant to loosening. This technique seemed to be a good option in THA revision with severe bone loss. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV, retrospective study.

Does inter-tibiofibular graft still have a role in the treatment of lower-limb non-union?

INTRODUCTION: Tibial non-union is a complication that poses a real challenge for surgeons. Several forms of treatment, depending on the type of non-union, have been described. The present study sought to assess results for treatment of tibial non-union by inter-tibiofibular graft (ITFG). MATERIAL AND METHOD: An exhaustive cohort study was performed on the files of 33 patients: 25 male, 8 female; mean age, 44years. Twenty cases involved high-energy trauma. Twenty-four were open fractures. Twenty-two concerned diaphyseal fracture, 10 of which were complex segmental. Eleven concerned distal fracture, including 4 complete articular fractures. There were 17 cases of septic non-union. There were no cases of severe bone defect. ITFG was performed at a mean 8.7 months post-trauma, as first-line treatment in 30 cases and in second line in 3. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients showed bone consolidation, at a mean 7.2 months. The 2 failures resulted from technical error. Trauma kinetics emerged as a risk factor for failure. DISCUSSION: ITFG remains a useful treatment option in tibial non-union, whether infected or not. The present results are comparable with those of the literature. Although the present series comprised only tight non-union, a study of the literature showed that ITFG can treat bone defects up to 4 or 5cm. Functional results showed tibiotalar joint stiffening, due more to immobilization and non-weight-bearing than to syndesmosis. ITFG thus remains relevant to the treatment of tibial non-union. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV, retrospective study.

[Core decompression of the femoral head for avascular necrosis]. / Résultats des forages pour ostéonécrose aseptique de la tête fémorale.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Core decompression of the femoral head is a conservative surgical treatment with controversial efficacy. We studied retrospectively a series of 32 cases of femoral head osteonecrosis treated by core decompression between 1988 and 2000 in 25 patients. We examined the epidemiological and clinical features as well as the laboratory findings, comparing cases requiring secondary hip replacement and those who had a favorable outcome. We search for prognostic factors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The series included 32 hips, one case was lost to follow-up. Mean age at decompression was 41.3 years (22-55). In eight hips, osteonecrosis was favored by corticosteroid treatment, in three by chronic alcoholism, and in one by hypertriglyceridemia. No favoring factors were present for 20 hips. According to the ARCO classification there were 15 stage I hips, 13 stage II, 3 stage III, and one stage IV. Core decompression was centered in 24 hips and mean time to decompression was 6.4 months (14 days to 40 months). We reviewed hips without a total prosthesis using the Postel-Merle-d'Aubigne function score and for the radiological assessment the ARCO stage and the Koo index. RESULTS: Favorable outcome was noted in 12 hips. Total hip arthroplasty was required for 19, one hip was lost to follow-up. Mean follow-up in the success group was 82 months (26-176) and mean "time of participation" in the failure group was 11 months (1-38). Mean survival after core decompression was 14 months. Time between onset of symptoms and decompression did not influence outcome. Lesions which remained asymptomatic before decompression remained stable. The stage I hips did not have more favorable outcome than the stage II hips (p < 0.05). Stage III or IV hips had unfavorable outcome. Hips with a Koo index > 40 had a poor outcome (p < 0.05). DISCUSSION: Epidemiological factors which can worsen outcome after core decompression for osteonecrosis are controversial in the literature. Early stage disease (I or II) is considered as an ideal indication for decompression, but is insufficient alone to guarantee success. As other authors, we consider that ARCO stage III and IV and a Koo index > 40 are contraindications for decompression. Improved outcome after core decompression can only be achieved by limiting indications.

[Recent fractures of the radial head associated with elbow instability treated with floating Judet prosthesis]. / Fractures récentes de la tête radiale associées a une instabilité du coude traitées par prothèse a cupule mobile de Judet.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Fracture of the radial head associated with elbow instability is infrequent. We report a retrospective series of floating Judet prostheses implanted for comminutive fractures of the radial head associated with elbow laxity caused either by dislocation or rupture of the medial collateral ligaments. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The series included ten patients who underwent surgery from October 1996 to September 2002 at the Amiens University Hospital. The indication for radial head prosthesis was established in the emergency setting for fracture unamendable by osteosyntheis and elbow laxity. Mean age was 48.2 years (25-69). All patients were seen at mean follow-up of 31.7 months (18-48). According to the Mason classification as modified by Johnson, all patients had type 4 fracture. A Judet radial head prosthesis with a floating metallic cup was implanted in all patients. An investigator other than the operators evaluated outcome using the Mayo Clinic criteria. RESULTS: Joint motion as measured by goniometry was: mean flexion 121degrees (90-140 degrees), mean extension deficit 20 degrees (5-60 degrees), mean pronation 45 degrees (0-85 degrees), mean supination 42.5 degrees (0-90 degrees). The Mayo clinic score was excellent in 3, good in 2, fair in 3, and poor in 2 (prosthesis dislocation in one and hung prosthesis requiring removal in one). Four patients developed periarticular ossifications compromising the final result. DISCUSSION: The floating Judet prosthesis allows optimal adaptation of the implant to anatomy and function. For us, these implants are indispensable when the radial head fracture is associated with elbow instability. The indication for prosthesis may be questionable if the non-fixed fracture is free of associated ligament injury, as suggested by the good long-term reported after simple resection. Rigorous operative technique is crucial, with careful restitution of the radial height. The quality of the result is related to the degree of capsule and ligament injury even after optimal implant positioning. Preventive treatment against periarticular ossification should be systematic.

Cruciate-sacrificing total knee arthroplasty and insert design: A radiologic study of sagittal laxity.

INTRODUCTION: Ultracongruent inserts avoid some of the drawbacks of central spine postero-stabilized inserts. However, early wear has been reported, and may be due to increased sagittal laxity. The principal objective of the present study was to compare sagittal laxity in rotating platform total knee replacements (TKR) according to insert design: ultracongruent versus central spine. The principal hypothesis was that insert design influences global sagittal laxity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective comparative study recruited 3 consecutive series of patients treated for primary osteoarthritis of the knee, with a minimum 1 year's follow-up. The UC series comprised 35 knees in 34 patients, receiving a Total Knee Triathlon™ (Stryker Orthopaedics, Mahwah, NJ) TKR with ultracongruent insert, at a mean 2.0 years' follow-up. The UC+ series comprised 36 knees in 34 patients, receiving the BalanSys™ (Mathys Ltd, Bettlach, Switzerland) TKR with ultracongruent insert, at a mean 2.5 years' follow-up; in this model, the anterior edge of the insert is higher than in the UC series ("deep-dish" design). The PS series comprised 43 knees in 40 patients, receiving a Total Knee Triathlon™ (Stryker Orthopaedics, Mahwah, NJ) TKR with central spine posterior stabilization, at a mean 1.5 years' follow-up. The principal assessment criterion was sagittal laxity at 90° flexion as measured by the Telos Stress Device® (Metax GmbH, Hungen, Germany). RESULTS: Sagittal laxity did not significantly differ between the UC and UC+ series: mean 8.2mm (range: 0-19.5mm) and 8.4mm (4.5-15.8mm), respectively. Sagittal laxity in the PS series was significantly less: 1.4mm (0.2-3.9) (P<0.0001). CONCLUSION: Sagittal laxity was greater in ultracongruent than central spine posterior stabilized TKR. This anteroposterior movement may induce polyethylene wear. The ideal degree of sagittal laxity for ultracongruent inserts remains to be determined. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV - retrospective study.

Risk of sural nerve injury during lateral distal Achilles tendinoscopy: a cadaver study.

BACKGROUND: The risk of damage to cutaneous sensory nerves located near portals has been evaluated for both conventional arthroscopy and extra-articular posterior ankle endoscopy. The objective of the anatomic study reported here was to assess the risk of injury to the sural nerve or lateral calcaneal nerve while using the distal lateral portal for the Achilles tendinoscopy procedure described by Vega et al. in 2008. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We dissected the sural nerve and its branch, the lateral calcaneal nerve, of 13 human cadaver ankles in the prone position. We defined P as the point where the Achilles peritendon was opened during the distal lateral approach used for the study technique. P was adjacent to the lateral edge of the Achilles tendon, 2 cm proximal to the postero-superior edge of the calcaneal tuberosity. T was defined as the attachment site of the most lateral fibres of the Achilles tendon to the postero-superior edge of the calcaneal tuberosity. We evaluated the origin of the lateral calcaneal nerve relative to T and we measured the shortest distances separating P from the sural nerve and lateral calcaneal nerve. RESULTS: A lateral calcaneal nerve was identified in 10 (77%) ankles and originated a mean of 39.1mm (range, 25.0-65.0mm) proximal to T. P was at a mean distance from the sural nerve of 12.3mm (range, 5.0-18.0mm) and from the lateral calcaneal nerve of 6.8mm (range, 4.0-9.0mm). The median difference between these two distances was statistically significant (P=0.002). DISCUSSION: While using the distal lateral portal for Achilles tendinoscopy, the lateral calcaneal nerve is at greater risk for injury than is the sural nerve. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV. Anatomic Study.

Outcomes and prognostic factors in revision hip arthroplasty for severe intra-pelvic cup protrusion: 246 cases.

BACKGROUND: The outcome of revision total hip arthroplasty (THA) for intra-pelvic cup protrusion is unclear. Hence, we conducted a large retrospective study to clarify the surgical strategy (hip lever arm and cup mechanical fixation) and the outcomes of reconstruction for severe intra-pelvic cup protrusion. HYPOTHESIS: We hypothesized that restoration of the anatomic hip centre in such acetabular revisions decreased the risk of recurrent loosening. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 246 THA procedures (in 220 patients), with a follow-up of 5.2 ± 4.9 years (1-24.2) after the index surgery. Bone loss was estimated using the SOFCOT classification (grade III or IV in 80% of cases) and the Paprosky classification (IIIA or IIIB in 58% of cases). Quality of the reconstruction was assessed on X-rays according to the correction of the protrusion and position of the hip centre of rotation. RESULTS: After a clinical follow-up of at least 5 years, with a mean of 9.9 ± 4.1 years (5-24 years), the mean Postel-Merle d'Aubigné score was 14.2 ± 3.1 and the mean Harris Hip Score was 78.0 ± 18.7. Cup protrusion was partially or completely corrected in every case and cup position was normal in 27 (11%) cases. The centre of rotation was within 10mm of the physiological position in 158 (64.2%) cases, acceptable in 77 (31.3%) cases, ascended in 9 (3.7%) cases, and worsened in 1 (0.4%) case. Revision for cup or cup and femoral failures was required in 24 (9.8%) cases. Cumulative survival rates with cup loosening as the endpoint were 88.5% after 5 years, 79.9% after 10 years, and 63.9% at last follow-up at 13.6 years. DISCUSSION: Our hypothesis that restoration of anatomic hip centre decreased the risk of recurrent loosening was not verified: success or failure in restoring the normal centre of rotation did not correlate significantly with final cup status. Recurrent aseptic loosening was the cause of failure in 9.8% of cases. Ensuring long-term effective mechanical stability had a greater impact on global outcomes than restoring an ideal centre of rotation.

[Fractures of the navicular bone. Apropos of 48 cases]. / Fractures du scaphoïde tarsien. A propos de quarante-huit cas.

Fracture of the navicular bone is rare and sometimes difficult to diagnose. Surgical treatment with direct osteosynthesis gives good results except in the case of fractures of the tubercles. In view of the poor postoperative course of fracture-dislocations, immediate talo-navicular-cuneiform arthrodesis may be proposed.

[Metatarsalgia and modified Helal's operation. Apropos of a series of 40 cases]. / Métatarsalgies et intervention de Helal modifiée. A propos d'une série de quarante cas.

The authors report a series of 40 cases of metatarsalgia operated according to a modified Helal technique. The mid-diaphyseal osteotomy was situated obliquely inferoanteriorly at an angle of 45 degrees on the metatarsal diaphysis. Twenty cases of hallux valgus were operated during the same procedure Surgery allowed a reduction in pain and hyperkeratosis in 67.5% of patients. Comparison of the results obtained with those reported in the literature confirms that the osteotomy must be metaphyseal and that weight bearing must be early and effective.

[10-year radiologic results of a cemented stem in close contact with the bone]. / Résultats radiologiques à 10 ans d'une tige cimentée au contact de l'os.

The femoral stem "Contact", conceived in 1981, provides an excellent contact with metaphyseal-diaphyseal bone, on the medial and lateral cortices. The stress on the cement is not high; the cement fills the medulla in the anteroposterior direction. Five-year results in 92 prostheses were published at the annual meeting of the SO.F.C.O.T. in 1986. The follow-up after 10 years of 76 prostheses with a complete radiological evaluation showed neither loosening, nor space between cortex and prosthesis. The calcar remained unchanged after 5 years in 60 cases; in 11 patients the density was diminished and in 5 hips, a cavitation was seen. Around the top of the stem, 11 partial or total "wall-forming" deposits were seen. On 42 lateral x rays the bone cement interface was satisfactory. Cortical resorption, which was not seen before, is now apparent on the most recent controls. The cortical index (Hoffman), measured on 49 prostheses, was unchanged in 15 cases (30%). The narrowing of the cortex increases with age, being more frequent and significant and occurring earlier in women. This process was seen from the age of 65 years in females and about 75 in males. This natural increase in the size of the medulla induces a loosening of the stem. Loosening may be limited by the use of a snugly fitting cemented stem, with limited stress on the cement.

[Risk of deep infection in first-intention total hip replacement. Evaluation concerning a continuous series of 790 cases]. / Le risque d'infection profonde des prothèses totales de hanche réalisées en première intention. Evaluation sur une série continue de 790 cas.

OBJECTIVE: Deep infections of the operative site is a rare but serious complication of first intention total hip arthroplasties. French data on infections are sparse. We studied the incidence, characteristics and potential risk factors for these infections in a consecutive series of 790 total hip arthroplasties performed as first intention implantations in a University Hospital in France. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All patients undergoing first intention total hip arthroplasty surgery between November 1995 and May 1999 were included in this study. Demographic, clinical, therapeutic and surgical data were collected. Deep infection was defined as proven presence of microorganisms in at least two preoperative samples during revision surgery. Patients were followed for 1 month to 4 years. Potential risk factors were identified with univariate analysis. Chi square and exact Fisher test were used. RESULTS: The overall incidence of deep infections was 1.11 per 100 implantations (95% CI 0.84-2.70). Delay to development ranged from 14 days to 32 months. Eleven infections were proven within the first year and 3 after one year. Two risk factors were identified: absence of systemic antibiotic prophylaxis (RR = 4.74, p = 0.03) and drainage discharge after 48 hours (RR = 3.62, p = 0.02). Other variables associated with infection with a relative risk greater than 2 were obesity, corticosteroid therapy, development of a hematoma, or difficult postoperative wound healing. CONCLUSION: The incidence observed in this series is slightly higher than generally reported in the world literature. It would be important to write an antibiotic prophylaxis protocol with prescription of systemic antibiotics for all operated patients in order to reduce this incidence. Other measures that could improve the quality of care should also be taken: re-evaluation of preoperative skin preparation protocols, systematic screening of patients carrying Staphylococcus aureus before implantation and proper care for these patients.

[Lateral approach of the knee with tibial tubercle osteotomy for prosthetic surgery]. / L'abord latéral du genou avec relèvement de la tubérosité tibiale pour la chirurgie prothétique.

The authors describe a lateral approach to the knee associated with a tibial tubercle osteotomy and a plasty using the fat pad to provide a complete closure of the wound. This lateral approach has been performed successfully in 98 cases, with only 3 skin necrosis. It offers a large exposure of the joint, facilitates placement of tibial component trial fit, and allows the self centering of the quadriceps patellar-tendon mechanism at the end of the intervention. The lateral approach disputable in case of genu varum is recommended in all cases of genu valgum or important deformities.