The Use of Type I Collagen Cross-Linked C-Telopeptide (CTX-1) as a Biomarker Associated with the Formation of Periprosthetic Ossifications Following Total Hip Joint Arthroplasty.

The aim of this study was to determine the co-occurrence of heterotopic ossifications (HO) and elevated bone biomarkers level (urine type I collagen cross-linked C-telopeptide - CTX-1, serum alkaline phosphatase - ALP) and assess the effectiveness of pharmacological prophylaxis of HO. The study group consisted of (N=54) patients qualified for total hip arthroplasty. In N=19 (35%) patients new HO were formed (48th week vs to baseline). On baseline, the mean CTX-1 value in the HO (-) patients was 8.60+/-5.37 ug/mmol vs HO (+) 11.73+/-6.02 ug/mmol (p<0,05). On the 5th day after the surgery, the mean value in HO (-) patients was 8.45+/-4.04 ug/mmol vs HO (+)14.46+/- 5.91 ug/mmol (p<0,05). The mean increase in CTX-1 levels in HO (+) patients' vs HO (-) compared to the initial value was 21% vs 47%. Correlation between CTX-1 concentration on the 5th day and the appearance of new ossifications (r=0.48, p<0.05) was demonstrated. In group covered by prophylaxis diclofenac 150 mg for 6 weeks, HO assessment in Brooker's scale was on average 0.78 points lower than in the group without prophylaxis and 0.89 points lower than in the group without prophylaxis and no risk factors of HO (p<0,05). The study also reported a correlation between the corrected ALP concentration in the 12th week and HO (r=0.59, p<0.05).

Difficulties in identifying the bacterial species from the genus Clostridium in a case of injury-related osteitis.

Most Clostridium species are part of saprophytic microflora in humans and animals; however, some are well-known human pathogens. We presented the challenges in identifying the Clostridium species isolated from a patient with an infected open dislocation of the proximal interphalangeal joint of the fourth digit of the right hand. The clinical materials were intraoperative samples collected from a patient diagnosed with an injury-related infection, with soft tissue loss and tendon sheath involvement. The available biochemical, molecular, and genetic techniques were used in identifying the isolated bacteria. The isolated bacterium was shown to have low biochemical activity; hence, it was not definitively identified via biochemical tests Api 20A or Rapid 32A. Vitek 2 and mass spectrometry methods were equally inconclusive. Clostridium tetani infection was strongly suspected based on the bacterium's morphology and the appearance of its colonies on solid media. It was only via the 16S rRNA sequencing method, which is non-routine and unavailable in most clinical laboratories, that this pathogen was excluded. Despite appropriate pre-laboratory procedures, which are critical for obtaining reliable test results, the routine methods of anaerobic bacterium identification are not always useful in diagnostics. Diagnostic difficulties occur in the case of environment-derived bacteria of low or not fully understood biological activity, which are absent from databases of automatic bacterial identification systems.

Orthopedic infections caused by obligatory anaerobic Gram-negative rods: report of two cases.

Anaerobic bone and joint infections are uncommon, although the number of anaerobic infections is presumably underestimated because of difficulties with isolation and identification of obligate anaerobes. This study describes two cases of complicated Bacteroides fragilis peri-implant infection of the lumbar spine, infection of the hip and osteomyelitis. Bacteria were identified with the use of a mass spectrometer, VITEK MS system. Drug susceptibility was performed with the use of E-test. The EUCAST breakpoints were used for interpretation with B. fragilis ATCC 25285 as a control. In the two described cases clinical samples were collected for microbiological examination intraoperatively and simultaneously empirical treatment was applied. B. fragilis was isolated in monoculture or in a combination with other bacteria. The treatment was continued according to the susceptibility tests. In a case one clindamycin failure was observed and clindamycin resistance of the isolate was likely due to inadequate time of therapy. Difficulties in collecting an adequate samples and culturing anaerobic bacteria cause that not all infections are properly recognized. In a successful therapy, identification and determination of the susceptibility of the pathogen are essential as well as an appropriate surgical debridement.

Economic Analysis of 4221 Revisions Due to Periprosthetic Joint Infection in Poland.

BACKGROUND: Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is one of the most severe complications of total hip (THA) and total knee (TKA) arthroplasty. The aim of the study is to determine the number and type of hip and knee prosthesis revisions in Poland performed due to infection and reimbursement of the cost of septic revisions and to compare the costs of septic and aseptic revisions in Poland and other countries. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The data published for the period 2009-2013 by the National Health Fund (NHF) were analysed and the average cost of septic and aseptic revisions was calculated. RESULTS: In the years 2009-2013, a total of 260,030 hip and knee arthroplasties including 23,027 revisions (incl. 4,221 septic) were performed in Poland. In 2013, septic revisions accounted for 1.38% of all hip replacement procedures, 2.56% of all knee replacement procedures and 14.67% of all hip revisions and 30.23% of all knee revisions. In 2013, the difference between the average cost incurred by the hospital and the NHF refund for septic revision due to PJI was at least €238 and the cost-refund gap for the entire year was €219198. CONCLUSION: 1. The system of reporting periprostheticjoint infections currently in use in Poland does not adequately reflect the current classification of PJI and reimbursement for septic revision of joint prosthesis does not match the actual costs. 2. The Polish DRG system does not distinguish between early and late PJI and fails to acknowledge basic guidelines for infection treatment currently followed in Poland and worldwide. 3. According to the DRG system, patients requiring different treatment are placed in one category. 4. Until the year 2013, the less expensive treatment of early infections had been reimbursed on the same basis as the more costly two-stage revision procedures.

Comparison of Bone Preserving and Radical Surgical Treatment in 32 Cases of Calcaneal Osteomyelitis.

Introduction. Radical procedures like calcanectomy and amputation performed for calcaneal osteomyelitis are regarded as effective in eradication of infection even though potentially functionally disabling. Bone sparing procedures offer better functional result at the expense of potentially worse infection control. The aim of the study has been to assess the influence of the surgical radicalism as much as the extent of bone infection on the final outcome in the surgical therapy of chronic calcaneal osteomyelitis (CO). Material and method. 32 patients with chronic CO have comprised the group under study: 8 with superficial type, 12 localised type and 12 with diffuse type according to Cierny-Mader classification. The aim of the treatment was to heal infection, preserve the heel shape and achieve good skin coverage over the calcaneus. The therapy consisted of 9 debridement surgeries with or without flaps, 8 drilling-operations of the calcaneus with application of collagen-gentamicin-sponge in bore holes, 15 partial and 2 total calcanectomies, and 4 below-the knee amputations. Results. The healing of infection and wound has been achieved after 7 of 9 debridements, 6 of 8 drilling-operations, 13 of 15 partial and all total calcanectomies. Conclusion. Bone preserving operations in chronic calcaneal osteomyelitis provided inferior infection control (76,47% vs 88,24%) and worse patient satisfaction (88,24% vs 100%) and almost camparable ambulation (100% vs 93,33%). Drilling of the calcaneus with application of collagen sponge containing gentamicin performed in chronic diffuse calcaneal osteomyelitis seems to offer a viable alternative to partial or radical calcanectomy. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: V.

Minimally invasive osteosynthesis of ankle fractures.

BACKGROUND: In this publication, we present a technique for internal ankle fracture fixation through minimally invasive surgical access. MATERIAL/METHOD: Observations were carried out in a group of 17 patients (9 men and 8 women) treated due to closed injuries. Fractures were reduced under fluoroscopic guidance and stabilized percutaneously with 2 or 3 Kirschner wires (lateral malleole), 1-2 malleolar screws (medial malleole) and cortical screws (syndesmosis). If displaced or involving articular surfaces, posterior tibia was reduced and stabilized with cortical screws. RESULTS: We compared the results from our group with those obtained in a group of 17 patients (13 men and 4 women) operated on using traditional technique. In all cases, satisfactory stabilizations with forthcoming healing process were achieved, but in 2 cases widening of approach to medial malleole was required to remove interposing soft tissues. The operation time of procedures performed via minimal approach was shorter (50.1±23.4 min vs. 77.8±12.0 min; p=0.002), as well as duration of hospital stay (7.8±3.6 days vs. 10.5±5.5 days, NS), but required longer exposition to fluoroscopy (271.2±137.8 vs. 96.1±103.7 sec.; p=0.0002). CONCLUSIONS: Minimally invasive technique is an alternative to traditional method. It allows for proper stabilization with minimal soft tissue traumatization, and thus could be recommended for patients with coexisting massive injuries affecting soft tissues and for those who, do not agree to open reductions for cosmetic reasons. It allows for reduction of operation time and hospital stay. Nevertheless, it involves higher exposition to fluoroscopy and, in some cases, widening of surgical approach.