Clinical outcomes and complications of S53P4 bioactive glass in chronic osteomyelitis and septic non-unions: a retrospective single-center study.

INTRODUCTION: Dead space management following debridement surgery in chronic osteomyelitis or septic non-unions is one of the most crucial and discussed steps for the success of the surgical treatment of these conditions. In this retrospective clinical study, we described the efficacy and safety profile of surgical debridement and local application of S53P4 bioactive glass (S53P4 BAG) in the treatment of bone infections. METHODS: A consecutive single-center series of 38 patients with chronic osteomyelitis (24) and septic non-unions (14), treated with bioactive glass S53P4 as dead space management following surgical debridement between May 2015 and November 2020, were identified and evaluated retrospectively. RESULTS: Infection eradication was reached in 22 out of 24 patients (91.7%) with chronic osteomyelitis. Eleven out of 14 patients (78.6%) with septic non-union achieved both fracture healing and infection healing in 9.1 ± 4.9 months. Three patients (7.9%) developed prolonged serous discharge with wound dehiscence but healed within 2 months with no further surgical intervention. Average patient follow-up time was 19.8 months ± 7.6 months. CONCLUSION: S53P4 bioactive glass is an effective and safe therapeutic option in the treatment of chronic osteomyelitis and septic non-unions because of its unique antibacterial properties, but also for its ability to generate a growth response in the remaining healthy bone at the bone-glass interface.

Dead space management strategies in the treatment of chronic osteomyelitis: a retrospective review.

PURPOSE: Dead space management is critically important during the treatment of chronic osteomyelitis. Many dead space management strategies are available, each with their respective advantages and shortcomings. This study aims to present the outcomes and complications of dead space management strategies employed in the treatment of chronic osteomyelitis at a single tertiary level musculoskeletal unit. METHODS: A retrospective review of dead space management strategies employed at a tertiary-level musculoskeletal infection unit was conducted. Patients of any age treated for chronic osteomyelitis of the appendicular skeleton with a minimum follow-up of 6 months were included in the study. Data were collected regarding patient demographics, aetiology and site of infection, dead space management strategy employed, follow-up period and outcome in terms of resolution of infection. RESULTS: A final cohort of 132 patients underwent surgical treatment with a dedicated dead space management strategy for chronic osteomyelitis of the appendicular skeleton. Eleven patients (8%) experienced a recurrence of infection. Seven patients (63%) with recurrence were type B hosts, while four patients (37%) were type A hosts. CONCLUSION: Dead space management is an integral part of treating chronic osteomyelitis; however, no guidelines currently exist regarding the most appropriate strategy. Favourable results are achievable in low to middle-income countries, and it is evident that no dead space management strategy is superior to another. The pursuit for the ideal void filler is ongoing. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Bioactive glass as dead space management following debridement of type 3 chronic osteomyelitis.

BACKGROUND: Chronic osteomyelitis is a challenging condition to treat and although no exact treatment guidelines exist, the surgical management strategy includes wide resection of necrotic and infected bone followed by dead space management. This study evaluates the use of bioactive glass as a single-stage procedure for dead space management following surgical debridement. METHODS: A consecutive series of 24 patients with Cierny-Mader type 3 osteomyelitis, treated between March 2016 and June 2018, were identified and evaluated retrospectively. Patients were managed with bioactive glass as dead space management following surgical debridement. RESULTS: Of the patients who completed more than 12 months follow-up, all fourteen (100%) showed complete resolution of symptoms. Of the remaining ten patients with less than 12 months follow-up, eight had complete resolution of symptoms. Therefore, a preliminary result of 22 out of 24 patients (91.65%) had resolution of symptoms following debridement and dead space management with bioactive glass. One patient experienced a complication related to the use of bioactive glass. This manifested as prolonged serous wound drainage that resolved with local wound care. CONCLUSION: The use of bioactive glass appears to be effective for dead space management following debridement of anatomical type 3 chronic osteomyelitis of the appendicular skeleton.

The role of implant retention and conservative management in the management of fracture-related infection.

Fracture-related infection (FRI) management has advanced considerably in recent years, offering new possibilities for predictable rates of infection eradication. Debridement, antibiotics, and implant retention (DAIR) procedures have shown promise in the treatment of early FRI. This article provides an overview of the principles and indications of DAIR, including the importance of meticulous debridement and the management of dead space. The outcomes of DAIR are discussed, highlighting the range of fracture union rates reported in the literature. The role of antimicrobial suppression in optimizing host biology and facilitating surgical intervention is also explored. While further research is needed to establish optimal treatment strategies, DAIR offers a valuable treatment approach for FRI when specific criteria are met. Level of evidence: IV.

The Use of a Vancomycin-Eluting Calcium Sulfate and Hydroxyapatite Composite for Dead Space Management in a Fracture-Related Infection (FRI): A Retrospective Case Series.

Background Cerament V (CV) is a bioactive bone graft substitute with vancomycin as an antimicrobial agent designed for the management of bone defects and infections. In this retrospective case series, we aim to evaluate the clinical outcomes of patients treated with CV for fracture-related infections (FRI). Methods All patients who received treatment for FRI and whose dead space and bone reconstruction management was solely done utilizing CV were included. The patients were recruited between September 2015 and September 2022. Data including patient demographics, primary diagnosis, surgical procedure, antibiotic therapy, microbiological results, complications, and follow-ups were recorded. Outcomes were assessed, including the percentage of bone void filling on radiographs, infection resolution, adverse effects, and patient-reported outcome measures by EQ-5D-5L. Results We present in this retrospective case series seven patients (three female) with a mean age of 56.86 ± 16.27 years. All patients underwent surgical debridement and bone grafting using CV. Antibiotic therapy was tailored to the specific pathogens isolated in each case. Infection eradication was achieved in five patients. On average, new bone formation was 81% at six months and 99% at 12 months. Patient-reported outcome parameters (PROMs) utilizing the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire were recorded at a mean follow-up of 42.00 ± 27.97 months with a median EQ-5D-5L index of 0.541 (range: 0.459 - 0.97) and a mean EQ-5D-Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score of 62.20 ± 24.68. No major adverse events related to CV were reported. Conclusion This retrospective case series demonstrates the potential efficacy of CV in managing FRIs. The bioactive and antibiotic properties of CV appear to facilitate infection resolution and bone healing, with an advantageous safety profile. Larger prospective studies are needed to further investigate the utility of CV in orthopedic practice.

Treatment and outcome of fracture-related infection of the clavicle.

INTRODUCTION: The number of operatively treated clavicle fractures has increased over the past decades. Consequently, this has led to an increase in secondary procedures required to treat complications such as fracture-related infection (FRI). The primary objective of this study was to assess the clinical and functional outcome of patients treated for FRI of the clavicle. The secondary objectives were to evaluate the healthcare costs and propose a standardized protocol for the surgical management of this complication. METHODS: All patients with a clavicle fracture who underwent open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) between 1 January 2015 and 1 March 2022 were retrospectively evaluated. This study included patients with an FRI who were diagnosed and treated according to the recommendations of a multidisciplinary team at the University Hospitals Leuven, Belgium. RESULTS: We evaluated 626 patients with 630 clavicle fractures who underwent ORIF. In total, 28 patients were diagnosed with an FRI. Of these, eight (29%) underwent definitive implant removal, five (18%) underwent debridement, antimicrobial treatment and implant retention, and fourteen patients (50%) had their implant exchanged in either a single-stage procedure, a two-stage procedure or after multiple revisions. One patient (3.6%) underwent resection of the clavicle. Twelve patients (43%) underwent autologous bone grafting (tricortical iliac crest bone graft (n = 6), free vascularized fibular graft (n = 5), cancellous bone graft (n = 1)) to reconstruct the bone defect. The median follow-up was 32.3 (P25-P75: 23.9-51.1) months. Two patients (7.1%) experienced a recurrence of infection. The functional outcome was satisfactory, with 26 out of 28 patients (93%) having full range of motion. The median healthcare cost was € 11.506 (P25-P75: € 7.953-23.798) per patient. CONCLUSION: FRI is a serious complication that can occur after the surgical treatment of clavicle fractures. In our opinion, when treated adequately using a multidisciplinary patient-specific approach, the outcome of patients with an FRI of the clavicle is good. The median healthcare costs of these patients are up to 3.5 times higher compared to non-infected operatively treated clavicle fractures. Although not studied individually, we consider factors such as the size of the bone defect, condition of the soft tissue, and patient demand important when it comes to guiding our surgical decision making in cases of osseous defects.

Exosome-Functionalized, Drug-Laden Bone Substitute along with an Antioxidant Herbal Membrane for Bone and Periosteum Regeneration in Bone Sarcoma.

Developing advanced methods for effective bone reconstructive strategies in case of critical bone defects caused by tumor resection, trauma, and other implant-related complications remains a challenging problem in orthopedics. In the clinical management of bone diseases, there is a paradigm shift in using local drugs at the injury site; however, the dead space created during the surgical debridement of necrotic bone and soft tissues (periosteum and underlying muscle) leads to ineffective bone formation, thereby leading to secondary complications, and thus calls for better regenerative approaches. In this study, we have utilized an exosome-functionalized doxorubicin-loaded biodegradable nanocement (NC)-based carrier along with a Cissus quadrangularis (CQ) extract-laden antioxidant herbal membrane for simultaneously managing the periosteum as well as bone formation in the tumor resection model of osteosarcoma. We initially evaluated the efficacy of scaffolds for in vitro mineralization and bone formation. To examine the in vivo effectiveness, we developed a human osteosarcoma cell line (Saos-2)-induced tumor xenograft model with a critical-sized bone defect. The findings revealed that doxorubicin released from NC was successful in killing the tumor cells and was present even after 30 days of implantation. Additionally, the incorporation of exosomes aided the bone formation, resulting in around a 2.6-fold increase in the bone volume compared to the empty group as evaluated by micro-CT. The herbal membrane assisted in the development of periosteum and mineralizing bone callous as validated through histological and immunofluorescence analysis. Thus, our findings describe a one-step biomaterial-based cell-free approach to regenerate bone in osteosarcoma and prevent further fracture due to the complete development of periosteum and lost bone.

Evaluation of Tissue Apposition and Seroma Prevention in an Ovine Model of Surgical Dead Space Using a Novel Air-Purged Vacuum Closure System.

Background: Postoperative complications associated with seroma formation resulting from surgical dead space continue to present a challenge in modern surgery. There is an unmet need for new technologies that address surgical dead space as well as prevent seroma formation and associated downstream postoperative complications. Methods: The novel implantable tissue apposition and drainage system ENIVO was developed and tested in a bilateral ovine external abdominal oblique (EAO) resection model of surgical dead space. The ENIVO system is a portable powered pump and wound interface featuring air-purged vacuum closure (APVC) that delivers a sustained level of vacuum pressure (80 and 100 mmHg) to the treatment site with an intermittent burst of sterile filtered air through the implanted wound interface. Seroma area, seroma volume, and drain migration were assessed at postoperative days 7 and 14, and all animals were euthanized at day 28 with gross assessment of treatment efficacy including the presence of residual seroma and tissue apposition. Results: The bilateral model created relatively uniform defects of ~120 cm2 following excision of ~30 to 50 g of EAO muscle. Median seroma area of ENIVO-treated defects was statistically smaller than standard of care (SoC)-treated defects at days 7 and 14. Median seroma volume at 14 days was significantly reduced in ENIVO-treated defects relative to SoC-treated defects [1.3 (IQR 0.0-79.5) mL and 188.5 (IQR 27.6-342.9) mL, respectively]. At postoperative day 28, 40% (n = 4/10) of SoC defects showed a residual seroma, whereas in contrast, none of the ENIVO-treated defects showed signs of a residual seroma. Median tissue apposition scoring was higher in the ENIVO treatment group [3 (IQR 3-3)] compared with the SoC group [3 (IQR 0-3)]. Conclusions: The ENIVO system represents a new approach to dead space management and seroma prevention and was shown to outperform a SoC surgical drain in a challenging large defect model of surgical dead space management and seroma prevention.

The role of bioactive glass in the management of chronic osteomyelitis: a systematic review of literature and current evidence.

Background: The increase of orthopaedic surgical interventions has given rise to an increased prevalence of chronic osteomyelitis. The principles of management of chronic osteomyelitis are well defined and include a thorough debridement, dead space management followed by an adequate period of appropriate antibiotics. Bioactive glass has garnered interest in recent years as a potential void filler following debridement. In the present systematic review, we explore the role of bioactive glass as a dead space management agent following debridement of chronic osteomyelitis.Methods: A search was made for all the articles pertaining to the role of bioactive glass in chronic osteomyelitis. The keywords used for search in PUBMED/MEDLINE were 'Bioactive glass' and 'chronic osteomyelitis'. A total of nine publications evaluating the outcome of 206 patients were included for evaluation.Results: The overall cure rate was 86% with 24 patients (11.6%) experiencing recurrence, while five patients were lost to follow-up. Out of the total 24 recurrences or persistent infections, 10 were associated with poor post-operative wound healing which progressed to recurrence.Conclusions: Bioactive glass appears to provide an attractive alternative for bone void filling after debridement of chronic osteomyelitis with good long-term outcomes. Potential advantages include a unique mechanism of anti-microbial action rendering it active against multi-drug resistant bacteria, use as a single stage procedure and gradual replacement by bone.