Multiplex PCR test as an intra-operative diagnostic tool for periprosthetic joint infection in presumed aseptic revision hip and knee arthroplasty: a 1-year follow-up study of 200 cases.

Automated custom-made multiplex PCR techniques (mPCR) have become commercially available and are designed for intra-operative screening of concurrent periprosthetic joint infections (PJIs). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the value of a positive mPCR test in presumed aseptic revision total hip (THA) and knee (TKA) arthroplasties after a 1-year follow-up. In an earlier study, such an automated mPCR technique (Unyvero ITI G2; Curetis, Holzgerlingen, Germany) was tested on intra-operatively obtained synovial fluid in 200 patients with a presumed aseptic TKA or THA revision. At the time of revision, no therapeutic consequences were attached to a positive test result since treating personnel were blinded for the test results. We retrospectively reviewed the outcome of cases with respect to the occurrence of PJIs using the European Bone and Joint Infection Society (EBJIS) criteria during a 1-year follow-up postoperatively. A total of 10 out of 200 patients had a positive mPCR test result at the time of revision. Of these 10 cases, none encountered outcome parameters fulfilling the criteria to diagnose PJIs in the first year after surgery, and one required re-revision surgery for reasons other than infection. Of the other 190 negative mPCR cases, none developed a PJI. A positive mPCR test at the time of presumed aseptic revision surgery did not correspond with intra-operatively obtained tissue cultures, and none of the encountered positive mPCR tests had developed a PJI at the 1-year follow-up. We recommend careful evaluation and monitoring of modern diagnostic tests before widespread use.

Bone support of a custom triflange acetabular component over time.

Aims: To investigate the extent of bone development around the scaffold of custom triflange acetabular components (CTACs) over time. Methods: We performed a single-centre historical prospective cohort study, including all patients with revision THA using the aMace CTAC between January 2017 and March 2021. A total of 18 patients (18 CTACs) were included. Models of the hemipelvis and the scaffold component of the CTACs were created by segmentation of CT scans. The CT scans were performed immediately postoperatively and at least one year after surgery. The amount of bone in contact with the scaffold was analyzed at both times, and the difference was calculated. Results: The mean time between the implantation and the second CT scan was two years (1 to 5). The mean age of the patients during CTAC implantation was 75 years (60 to 92). The mean scaffold-bone contact area increased from 16% (SD 12.6) to 28% (SD 11.9). The mean scaffold-bone distance decreased from a mean of 6.5 mm (SD 2.0) to 5.5 mm (SD 1.6). None of the CTACs were revised or radiologically loose. Conclusion: There was a statistically significant increase of scaffold-bone contact area over time, but the total contact area of the scaffold in relation to the acetabular bone remained relatively low. As all implants remained well fixed, the question remains to what extend the scaffold contributes to the observed stability, in relation to the screws. A future design implication might be an elimination of the bulky scaffold component. This design modification would reduce production costs and may optimize the primary fit of the implant.

Survival of cemented short Exeter femoral components in primary total hip arthroplasty.

Aims: The aim of this study was to report the long-term follow-up of cemented short Exeter femoral components when used in primary total hip arthroplasty (THA). Methods: We included all primary 394 THAs with a cemented short Exeter femoral component (≤ 125 mm) used in our tertiary referral centre between October 1993 and December 2021. A total of 83 patients (21%) were male. The median age of the patients at the time of surgery was 42 years (interquartile range (IQR) 30 to 55). The main indication for THA was a childhood hip disease (202; 51%). The median follow-up was 6.7 years (IQR 3.1 to 11.0). Kaplan-Meier survival analyses were performed to determine the rates of survival with femoral revision for any indication, for septic loosening, for fracture of the femoral component and for aseptic loosening as endpoints. The indications for revision were evaluated. Fractures of the femoral component were described in detail. Results: The 20-year rate of survival was 85.4% (95% confidence interval (CI) 73.9 to 92.0) with revision for any indication, 96.2% (95% CI 90.5 to 98.5) with revision for septic loosening and 92.7% (95% CI 78.5 to 97.6) with revision for fracture of the femoral component. No femoral components were revised for aseptic loosening. There were 21 revisions of the femoral component; most (seven) as part of a two-stage management of infection. Fracture of the femoral component occurred in four THAs (1.0%) at 6.6, 11.6, 16.5, and 18.2 years of follow-up, respectively. Three of these were transverse fractures and occurred at the level of the lesser trochanter. In one THA, there was a fracture of the neck of the component. Conclusion: THAs using cemented short Exeter femoral components showed acceptable rates of survival of the femoral component at long-term follow-up, in this young cohort of patients. Although fracture is a rare complication of these components, surgeons should be aware of their incidence and possible risk factors.

Long-term follow-up of 96 patients younger than age 25 with 119 primary cemented total hip arthroplasties.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Long-term follow-up of young patients following cemented primary THA is scarce. Therefore, we analyzed the survival of all consecutive primary THAs in patients under 25 years performed at our institute. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All primary THAs performed in patients younger than 25 years in our tertiary care institute between 1988 and 2015 were included (n = 119). Cemented fixation was used in all patients. In the case of acetabular bone deficiencies, reconstruction was performed using impaction bone grafting (IBG). We used Kaplan-Meier analysis to determine the survival of the primary THA with endpoints revision for any reason and aseptic loosening. RESULTS: The mean age at the primary THA was 20 years. The most prevalent diagnosis was avascular necrosis (31%). The mean follow-up of the primary THA was 11 years (range 0-32). 2 patients (2 hips) were lost to follow-up. 16 revisions were registered. The survival of any component for endpoint revision for any reason was estimated at 92% (95% confidence interval [CI] 84-96) and 81% (CI 67-90) at 10- and 15-year follow-up, respectively. The survival of any component for endpoint revision for aseptic loosening was 99% (CI 93-100) and 88% (CI 71-95) at 10 and 15 years, respectively. 3 hips were revised due to infection. CONCLUSION: Favorable long-term outcomes of primary THA in very young patients can be obtained using cemented fixation and IBG.

Thirty years of experience with instrumented femoral impaction bone grafting and a cemented polished Exeter stem : a prospective cohort study of 208 revision arthroplasties performed between 1991 and 2007.

AIMS: The aim of this study is to report the long-term outcomes of instrumented femoral revisions with impaction allograft bone grafting (IBG) using the X-change femoral revision system at 30 years after introduction of the technique. METHODS: We updated the outcomes of our previous study, based on 208 consecutive revisions using IBG and the X-change femoral revision system in combination with a cemented polished stem, performed in our tertiary care institute between 1991 and 2007. Kaplan-Meier survival analyses were used to determine the survival rate of the revisions with endpoint revision for any reason and aseptic loosening. Secondary outcomes were radiological loosening and patient-reported outcome measures. RESULTS: Mean age at revision total hip arthroplasty (THA) was 64.9 years (30 to 86). The most prevalent diagnosis for the femoral revision was aseptic loosening. At review in May 2021, 81 patients (85 hips) were still alive and 118 patients (120 hips; 58%) had died. Three patients (3 hips; 1%) were lost to follow-up at 11, 15, and 16 years after surgery, respectively. Data of all deceased and lost patients were included until final follow-up. The mean follow-up was 13.4 years (0 to 28). During the follow-up, 22 re-revisions were performed. The most common reason for re-revision was infection (n = 12; 54%). The survival with endpoint re-revision for any reason was 86% (95% confidence interval (CI) 79 to 91) at 20 years and 74% (95% CI 43 to 89) at 25 years after surgery. The survival for endpoint re-revision for aseptic loosening was 97% (95% CI 91 to 99) after both 20 and 25 years. CONCLUSION: We conclude that femoral IBG is a valuable technique that can reconstitute femoral bone loss in the long term. After 25 years of follow-up, few re-revisions for aseptic loosening were required. Also, the overall revision rate is very acceptable at a long follow-up. This technique is especially attractive for younger patients facing femoral revisions with extensive bone loss.Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2022;104-B(9):1039-1046.

Higher 1-year risk of implant removal for culture-positive than for culture-negative DAIR patients following 359 primary hip or knee arthroplasties.

Background and purpose: To date, the value of culture results after debridement, antibiotics, and implant retention (DAIR) for early (suspected) prosthetic joint infection (PJI) as risk indicators in terms of prosthesis retention is not clear. At the 1-year follow-up, the relative risk of prosthesis removal was determined for culture-positive and culture-negative DAIR patients after primary total hip or knee arthroplasty. The secondary aim of this work was to explore differences in patient characteristics, infection characteristics, and outcomes between these two groups. Methods: A retrospective regional registry study was performed in a group of 359 patients (positive cultures: n = 299 ; negative cultures: n = 60 ) undergoing DAIR for high suspicion of early PJI in the period from 2014 to 2019. Differences in patient characteristics, the number of deceased patients, and the number of subsequent DAIR treatments between the culture-positive and culture-negative DAIR groups were analysed using independent t  tests, Mann-Whitney U  tests, Pearson's chi-square tests, and Fisher's exact tests. Results: The overall implant survival rate following DAIR was 89 %. The relative risk of prosthesis removal was 7.4 times higher (95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.0-53.1) in the culture-positive DAIR group (37 of 299, 12.4 %) compared with the culture-negative DAIR group (1 of 60, 1.7 %). The culture-positive group had a higher body mass index ( p = 0.034 ), a rate of wound leakage of > 10  d ( p = 0.016 ), and more subsequent DAIR treatments ( p = 0.006 ). Interpretation: As implant survival results after DAIR are favourable, the threshold to perform a DAIR procedure for early (suspected) PJI should be low in order to retain the prosthesis. A DAIR procedure in the case of negative cultures does not seem to have unfavourable results in terms of prosthesis retention.

The outcome of subsequent revisions after primary total hip arthroplasty in 1,049 patients aged under 50 years : a single-centre cohort study with a follow-up of more than 30 years.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to determine the outcome of all primary total hip arthroplasties (THAs) and their subsequent revision procedures in patients aged under 50 years performed at our institution. METHODS: All 1,049 primary THAs which were undertaken in 860 patients aged under 50 years between 1988 and 2018 in our tertiary care institution were included. We used cemented implants in both primary and revision surgery. Impaction bone grafting was used in patients with acetabular or femoral bone defects. Kaplan-Meier analyses were used to determine the survival of primary and revision THA with the endpoint of revision for any reason, and of revision for aseptic loosening. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients at the time of the initial THA was 38.6 years (SD 9.3). The mean follow-up of the THA was 8.7 years (2.0 to 31.5). The rate of survival for all primary THAs, acetabular components only, and femoral components only at 20 years' follow-up with the endpoint of revision for any reason, was 66.7% (95% confidence interval (CI) 60.5 to 72.2), 69.1% (95% CI 63.0 to 74.4), and 83.2% (95% CI 78.1 to 87.3), respectively. A total of 138 revisions were performed. The mean age at the time of revision was 48.2 years (23 to 72). Survival of all subsequent revision procedures, revised acetabular, and revised femoral components at 15 years' follow-up with the endpoint of revision for any reason was 70.3% (95% CI 56.1 to 80.7), 69.7% (95% CI 54.3 to 80.7), and 76.2% (95% CI 57.8 to 87.4), respectively. A Girdlestone excision arthroplasty was required in six of 860 patients (0.7%). CONCLUSION: The long-term outcome of cemented primary and subsequent revision THA is promising in these young patients. We showed that our philosophy of using impaction bone grafting in patients with acetabular and femoral defects is a very suitable option when treating young patients. Surgeons should realize that knowledge of the outcome of subsequent revision surgery, which is inevitable in young patients, must be communicated to this group of patients prior to their initial THA. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2022;104-B(3):368-375.

Mismatch in Capture of Periprosthetic Joint Infections Between the Dutch Arthroplasty Register (LROI) and a Detailed Regional Periprosthetic Joint Infection Registry.

BACKGROUND: National arthroplasty registries are important sources for periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) data and report an average incidence ranging from 0.5% to 2.0%. However, studies have shown that PJI incidence in national arthroplasty registries may be underestimated. Therefore, the incidence of PJI in the Dutch Arthroplasty Register (LROI) was evaluated. METHODS: We matched revisions due to infection within 90 days of index procedure in the LROI database (prospectively registered in 2014-2018) with acute PJI cases registered in a Regional Infection Cohort (RIC) and vice versa. The RIC comprised of 1 university hospital, 3 large orthopedic teaching hospitals and 4 general district hospitals, representing 11.3% of all Dutch arthroplasty procedures with a similar case mix. RESULTS: From the 352 acute PJIs in the RIC, 166 (47%) were registered in the LROI. Of the 186 confirmed PJI cases not registered in the LROI, 51% (n = 95) were a unregistered Debridement, Antibiotics, and Implant Retention procedure without component exchange. The remaining missing PJI cases (n = 91, 49%) were of administrative origin. The acute PJI incidence in the RIC was 1%, compared to a 0.6% incidence of revision <90 days due to infection from LROI data. CONCLUSION: Besides unregistered Debridement, Antibiotics, and Implant Retention procedures without component exchange, administrative errors are an important source of missing PJI data for the LROI, leading to underestimation of PJI incidence in the Netherlands. A national arthroplasty complication registry, linked to the LROI, might decrease the number of missing PJI cases. Although our study concerns Dutch data, it supports the scarce literature on PJI incidence obtained from national arthroplasty registries, which also reports an underestimation.

What Are the Long-term Results of Cemented Revision THA with Use of Both Acetabular and Femoral Impaction Bone Grafting in Patients Younger Than 55 Years?

BACKGROUND: The increasing number of THAs in younger patients will inevitably result in an increase of revision procedures. However, there is little evidence about the outcome of revision procedures in this patient group. Therefore, we updated a previous study conducted 5 years ago about the outcome of revision procedures in patients younger than 55 years. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: We sought to provide a concise update on the previously reported (1) long-term failure rate as defined by repeat revision, (2) clinical outcome as defined by the Oxford Hip score and the Harris Hip score, and (3) radiographic outcome of cemented revision THA performed with impaction bone grafting on both the acetabular and femoral sides in one surgery in patients younger than 55 years old. METHODS: Between 1991 and 2007, we performed 86 complete THA revisions in patients younger than 55 years. In 38% (33 of 86) of revisions, bone impaction grafting was used on both the acetabular and femoral side because of acetabular and femoral bone stock loss. Mean age at time of revision was 46 ± 8 years. No patient was lost to follow-up, but six patients died during follow-up, including three since 2015. Still, the hips of all 33 patients were included in analysis at a mean of 17 ± 5 years. Failure was calculated using competing risk analysis. For clinical outcome, we assessed the Harris Hip score and the Oxford Hip score from our longitudinally maintained institutional database. Radiographic analysis was performed to evaluate radiographic loosening, defined as radiolucencies ≥ 2 mm in all zones or ≥ 5 mm migration for both components. The acetabular component was also considered loose with tilting ≥ 5°. RESULTS: The 15-year failure rate of revision THA was 27% (95% CI 13 to 44) for re-revision of any component for any reason and 10% (95% CI 3 to 25) for re-revision of any component for aseptic loosening. The mean Harris Hip score increased from 55 ± 18 preoperatively to 74 ± 22 at latest follow-up. Eight cups were considered radiographically loose, seven of which were re-revised. No stems were considered radiographically loose. Failure rate with endpoint radiographic loosening at 15 years was 23% (95% CI 10 to 39). CONCLUSION: We found that impaction bone grafting with a cemented cup and a cemented stem is a valuable biological revision technique that results in a stable and durable solution, after one or even multiple previous revision THAs. Although current implants may prove sufficient in most cases, they do not promote bone stock preservation. We believe that in young patients with bone stock loss, impaction bone grafting can be used as long as the defect can be contained adequately with a metal mesh and viable bone bed is available for revascularization. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic study.

Most Important Frequently Asked Questions From Patients With Hip or Knee Osteoarthritis: A Best-Worst Scaling Exercise.

OBJECTIVE: To collect and prioritize the frequently asked questions (FAQs) that patients with hip or knee osteoarthritis (OA) and health care professionals consider to be the most important; to identify informational needs that go beyond guideline recommendations. METHODS: FAQs were collected among health care professionals and from the arthritis helpline of the Dutch Arthritis Foundation. After deleting overlapping FAQs, the remaining FAQs were prioritized by patients and health care professionals using a maximum difference scaling method. A hierarchical Bayesian method was used to calculate relative importance scores. Differences between health care professionals and patients were analyzed using independent t-tests. RESULTS: A total of 28 health care professionals and the arthritis helpline provided 192 FAQs. After deleting overlapping FAQs, 60 FAQs were prioritized by 94 patients (57 [60.6%] women, mean age 67.3 years) and 122 health care professionals (67 [54.9%] women, mean age 45.7 years). The FAQ "What can I do myself to decrease symptoms and to prevent the OA from getting worse?" was prioritized as the most important by both patients and professionals. FAQs that were highly prioritized by patients but significantly different from professionals were more directed toward treatment options offered by health care professionals, whereas highly prioritized FAQs of professionals were more often focused on treatment options involving self-management. CONCLUSION: The health care professionals' perspective on informational needs differs from that of OA patients. These differences are important to address in order to achieve more active involvement of patients in their own treatment process.

Preliminary effects of a regional approached multidisciplinary educational program on healthcare utilization in patients with hip or knee osteoarthritis: an observational study.

BACKGROUND: Providing relevant information on disease and self-management helps patients to seek timely contact with care providers and become actively involved in their own care process. Therefore, health professionals from primary care, multiple hospitals and health organisations jointly decided to develop an educational program on osteoarthritis (OA). The objective of the present study was to determine preliminary effects of this OA educational program on healthcare utilization and clinical outcomes. METHODS: We developed an educational group-based program consisting of 2 meetings of 1.5 h, provided by a physiotherapist, a general practitioner (GP) and orthopaedic surgeon or specialized nurse. The program included education on OA, (expectations regarding) treatment options and self-management. Patients were recruited through searching the GPs' electronic patients records and advertisements in local newspapers. At baseline and at 3 months follow-up participating OA patients completed questionnaires. Paired-sample t-tests, McNemar's test and Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test were used to estimate the preliminary effects of the program. RESULTS: A total of 146 participants in 3 districts attended the sessions, of whom 143 agreed to participate in this study; mean age 69.1 years (SD10.2).107 (75%) participants completed both baseline and follow up assessments. The proportion of participants who had visited their GP in the 3 months after the program was lower than 3 months previous to the program (40% versus 25%, p-value 0.01). Also, we observed a decrease in proportion of patients who visited the physio- and exercise therapist, (36.1% versus 25.0%, p-value 0.02). Both illness perceptions and knowledge on OA and treatment options changed positively (Δ-1.8, 95%CI:0.4-3.4, and Δ2.4, 95%CI:-3.0 - -1.6 respectively). No changes in BMI, pain, functioning and self-efficacy were found. However, a trend towards an increase in physical activity was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that a multidisciplinary educational program may result in a decrease in healthcare utilization and has a positive effect on illness perceptions and knowledge on OA due to clear and consistent information on OA and it treatment options. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Netherlands Trial Register ( NTR5472 ). Registered 22 September 2015.

Satisfying Results of Primary Hip Arthroplasty in Patients With Hip Dysplasia at a Mean Followup of 20 Years.

BACKGROUND: Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is a common cause of secondary osteoarthritis (OA) in younger patients, and when end-stage OA develops, a THA can provide a solution. Different options have been developed to reconstruct these defects, one of which is impaction bone grafting combined with a cemented cup. To determine the true value of a specific technique, it is important to evaluate patients at a long-term followup. As there are no long-term studies, to our knowledge, on THA in patients with DDH using impaction bone grafting with a cemented cup, we present the results of this technique at a mean of 15 years in patients with previous DDH. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: We wished to determine (1) the long-term probability of cup revision at a minimum followup of 15 years for cemented acetabular impaction bone grafting in patients with DDH; (2) the radiographic appearance of the bone graft and radiographic signs of implant loosening; and (3) the complications and pre- and postoperative Harris hip scores with cemented THA combined with impaction bone grafting in patients with previous DDH. METHODS: Between January 1984 and December 1995 we performed 28 acetabular impaction bone grafting procedures for secondary OA believed to be caused by DDH in 22 patients; four patients died before 15 years, leaving 24 hips in 18 patients for retrospective analysis at a minimum of 15 years (mean, 20 years; range, 16-29 years). The diagnosis of DDH was made according to preoperative radiographs and intraoperative findings. All grades of dysplasia were included; five patients had Crowe Group I, eight had Group II, nine had Group III, and two had Group IV DDH. No patients were lost to followup. In all cases the acetabular defects were combined cavitary and segmental. Owing to the high number of deaths, we performed a competing-risk analysis to determine the probability of cup revision surgery. RESULTS: The competing-risk analysis showed cumulative incidences at 15 and 20 years, with endpoint revision for any reason of 7% (95% CI, 0%-17%), whereas this was 4% (95% CI, 0%-11%) with endpoint revision of the cup for aseptic loosening. Three revision surgeries were performed. Two cup revisions were performed for aseptic loosening at 12 and 26 years. Another cup revision was performed owing to sciatic nerve problems at 2 years. A stable radiographic appearance of the graft was seen in 19 of the 25 unrevised hips. Four hips showed acetabular radiolucent lines and two showed acetabular osteolysis. None of the unrevised cups showed migration or radiographic failure. Postoperative complications included a pulmonary embolus and a superficial wound infection. The Harris hip score improved from 37 (range, 9-72) preoperatively to 83 (range, 42-99) at latest followup. CONCLUSIONS: Cemented primary THA with the use of impaction bone grafting shows satisfying long-term results in patients with previous DDH. For future research it is important to evaluate this technique in a larger cohort with a long-term followup. Other techniques also should be evaluated at long-term followup to be able to compare different techniques in this important and specific patient group. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic study.

Predictors of unsuccessful outcome in cemented femoral revisions using bone impaction grafting; Cox regression analysis of 208 cases.

INTRODUCTION: Despite improvements in the technique of femoral impaction bone grafting, reconstruction failures still can occur. Therefore, the aim of our study was to determine risk factors for the endpoint re-revision for any reason. METHODS: We used prospectively collected demographic, clinical and surgical data of all 202 patients who underwent 208 femoral revisions using the X-change Femoral Revision System (Stryker-Howmedica), fresh-frozen morcellised allograft and a cemented polished Exeter stem in our department from 1991 to 2007. Univariable and multivariable Cox regression analyses were performed to identify potential factors associated with re-revision. RESULTS: The mean follow-up was 10.6 (5-21) years. The cumulative re-revision rate was 6.3% (13/208). After univariable selection, sex, age, body mass index (BMI), American Association of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification, type of removed femoral component, and mesh used for reconstruction were included in multivariable regression analysis.In the multivariable analysis, BMI was the only factor that was significantly associated with the risk of re-revision after bone impaction grafting (BMI ≥30 vs. BMI <30, HR = 6.54 [95% CI 1.89-22.65]; p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: BMI was the only factor associated with the risk of re-revision for any reason. Besides BMI also other factors, such as Endoklinik score and the type of removed femoral component, can provide guidance in the process of preclinical decision making. With the knowledge obtained from this study, preoperative patient selection, informed consent, and treatment protocols can be better adjusted to the individual patient who needs to undergo a femoral revision with impaction bone grafting.

Medium-term follow-up of 92 femoral component revisions using a third-generation cementing technique.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Very little has been published on the outcome of femoral cemented revisions using a third-generation cementing technique. We report the medium-term outcome of a consecutive series of patients treated in this way. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study included 92 consecutive cemented femoral revisions performed in our department with a third-generation cementing technique and without instrumented bone impaction grafting between 1996 and 2007. The average age of the patients at revision was 66 (25-92) years. None of the patients were lost to follow-up. At review in December 2013, 55 patients were still alive and had a non-re-revised femoral revision component in situ after a mean follow-up of 11 (5-17) years. RESULTS: The mean preoperative Harris hip score was 50, and improved to 73 at final follow-up. 2 patients died shortly after the revision surgery. 1 stem was re-revised for aseptic loosening; this was also the only case with radiolucent lines in all 7 Gruen zones. A femoral reoperation was performed in 19 hips during follow-up, and in 14 of these 19 reoperations the femoral component was re-revised. Survivorship at 10 years, with femoral re-revision for any reason as the endpoint, was 86% (95% CI: 77-92). However, excluding 8 patients with reinfections after septic index revisions and 1 with hematogenous spread of infection from the survival analysis, the adjusted survival for re-revision for any reason at 10 years was 92% (95% CI: 83-96). With re-revision for aseptic loosening as endpoint, the survival at 10 years was 99% (CI: 90-100). INTERPRETATION: Femoral component revision with a third-generation cemented stem results in acceptable survival after medium-term follow-up. We recommend the use of this technique in femoral revisions with limited loss of bone stock.

The biological approach in acetabular revision surgery: impaction bone grafting and a cemented cup.

Acetabular impaction bone grafting (IBG) in combination with a cemented cup in revision total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a proven and well-recognised technique which has been used in clinical practice for more than 35 years. Nowadays, with cemented prostheses tending to lose a larger part of the THA market every year in primary and revision cases, and many young surgeons being only trained in implanting uncemented prostheses, this technique is considered by many as technically demanding and time consuming, making its use less appealing. Despite this image and many new innovative techniques using uncemented implants in acetabular revisions over the last 25 years, IBG with a cemented cup is still one of the few techniques that really can reconstitute bone and respects human biology. In this era of many biologically-based breakthroughs in medicine, it is hard to explain that the solution of most orthopaedic surgeons for the extensive bone defects as frequently seen during acetabular revision surgery, consists of implanting bigger and larger metal implants. This review aims to put the IBG method into a historical perspective, to describe the surgical technique and present the clinical results.

Satisfying outcomes scores and survivorship achieved with impaction grafting for revision THA in young patients.

BACKGROUND: The increasing number of total hip arthroplasties (THAs) performed in younger patients will inevitably generate larger numbers of revision procedures for this specific group of patients. Unfortunately, no satisfying revision method with acceptable survivorship 10 years after revision has been described for these patients so far. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: The purposes of this study were to (1) analyze the clinical outcome; (2) complication rate; (3) survivorship; and (4) radiographic outcome of cemented revision THA performed with impaction bone grafting (IBG) on both the acetabular and femoral sides in one surgery in patients younger than 55 years old. METHODS: During the period 1991 to 2007, 86 complete THA revisions were performed at our institution in patients younger than 55 years. In 34 of these 86 revisions (40%), IBG was used on both the acetabular and femoral sides in 33 patients. Mean patient age at revision surgery was 46.4 years (SD 7.6). No patient was lost to followup, but three patients died during followup. None of the deaths were related to the revision surgery. The mean followup for the surviving hips was 11.7 years (SD 4.6). We also analyzed complication rate. RESULTS: The mean Harris hip score improved from 55 (SD 18) preoperatively to 80 points (SD 16) at latest followup (p = 0.009). Six hips underwent a rerevision (18%): in four patients, both components were rerevised; and in two hips, only the cup was revised. Patient 10-year survival rate with the endpoint of rerevision for any component for any reason was 87% (95% confidence interval [CI], 67%-95%) and with the endpoint of rerevision for aseptic loosening, the survival rate was 97% (95% CI, 80%-100%). In total six cups were considered radiographically loose, of which four were rerevised. Three stems were radiographically loose, of which none was rerevised. CONCLUSIONS: IBG is a valuable biological revision technique that may restore bone stock in younger patients. Bone stock reconstruction is important, because these patients likely will outlive their revision implants. Bone reconstruction with impaction grafting may facilitate future revisions. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic study.

Cemented total hip arthroplasty revisions in patients of eighty years and older.

PURPOSE: It is often a difficult decision whether it is safe to perform revision hip surgery in a patient of 80 years and older. Therefore we evaluated the results of cemented revisions in these elderly patients. METHODS: Clinical data, radiographs and complications of 49 consecutive cup and/or stem revisions in 48 patients were prospectively collected. The average age of the patients at surgery was 84 years (range, 80-92). We performed Kaplan-Meier (KM) analysis and also a competing risk (CR) analysis because in this series the presence of a competing event (i.e. death) prevents the occurrence of endpoint rerevision. RESULTS: Twenty-nine patients (30 hips) died without rerevision during follow-up and their data was included. The average follow-up of the 16 surviving patients was eight years (range, six to 13). Six re-operations were performed, of which three were re-revisions. Eight-year survivorship was 91.6% (95% confidence interval (CI) 76-97%) for endpoint re-revision for any reason. With the CR analysis we calculated that due to the increasing number of competing events, the KM analysis overestimates the failure rate with 32% for this endpoint. The average Harris hip score improved from 49 to 74. Mortality within three months after surgery was 6%. One postoperative fracture occurred and six hips dislocated. CONCLUSION: Cemented revisions can provide satisfying results in patient of 80 years and older with acceptable survivorship and complication rates.

Acetabular re-revision with impaction bone grafting and a cemented polyethylene cup; a biological option for successive reconstructions.

INTRODUCTION: For the revision of failed acetabular components impaction bone grafting (IBG) with a cemented cup is a well known technique. Claims have been made that this is a biological reconstruction technique, restoring the bone stock loss and thereby facilitating future revisions. However, there are no scientific data proving this claim. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this study, we present the clinical and radiographic outcome of 11 consecutive acetabular re-revisions in 10 patients with again IBG and a cemented polyethylene cup observed in a previously reported cohort of 62 acetabular IBG revisions. All data were prospectively collected. Kaplan-Meier survivorship analysis was performed. RESULTS: The mean follow-up after re-revision was 10 years (5-15) and 28 years (26-30) after the primary revision. No patients were lost to follow-up. The mean HHS improved from 37 (12-49) points to 71 (40-95) points at final follow-up. Survival with further cup revision for any reason as endpoint was 91% (95% confidence interval (CI) 51 to 99) at 10 years. When excluding one early cup re-revision for malpositioning 3 weeks postoperative, survivorship with further cup revision for aseptic loosening as endpoint was 100% (95% CI 37-100) at 10 years. Survival with further cup re-operation for any reason as endpoint was 82% (95% one-sided CI 45-95). In all surviving re-revisions trabecular incorporation was observed without radiolucent lines. CONCLUSION: This study shows that, due to restoring the bone stock, even successive acetabular reconstructions using IBG and a cemented cup are possible with satisfying 10 years survivorship.

Surgical technique: Results of stabilization of sternoclavicular joint luxations using a polydioxanone envelope plasty.

BACKGROUND: Surgical treatment options for sternoclavicular joint luxations described in the literature are numerous, although all have limitations. Therefore, there is no favorable surgical treatment for sternoclavicular luxations when nonoperative treatment has failed. DESCRIPTION OF TECHNIQUE: We developed the polydioxanone (PDS) envelope plasty, a modification of the figure-of-eight technique, using a PDS ligament. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 39 patients (40 joints), treated with a PDS envelope plasty for invalidating sternoclavicular luxations. The minimum followup was 10 months (average, 52 months; range, 10-171 months). The Simple Shoulder Test (SST), Constant-Murley shoulder score, and subjective categorical results were recorded preoperatively and postoperatively. RESULTS: In most patients, postoperative functional shoulder scores were excellent (mean Constant-Murley score, 90, range, 52-100; mean SST, 10; range, 2-12). Ninety percent of patients had an improvement of shoulder function at followup. Only minor complications occurred. Thirteen percent of patients had spontaneous postoperative subluxations. However, the postoperative shoulder function improved in all these patients. CONCLUSIONS: The PDS envelope plasty is a simple procedure, a modification of the best-reported technique. We have promising results with high shoulder scores. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Femoral component revision with use of impaction bone-grafting and a cemented polished stem: a concise follow-up, at fifteen to twenty years, of a previous report.

We previously reported our results for thirty-three consecutive femoral component revisions with impaction bone-grafting, performed with the X-change femoral revision system and a cemented polished Exeter stem, at a minimum of eight years of follow-up. The present updated study shows the results after fifteen to twenty years. One stem was revised again for mechanical reasons during a rerevision of an acetabular cup. The probability of survival at seventeen years was 96% (95% confidence interval [CI], 72% to 99%) with a femoral rerevision for any reason as the end point and 100% (95% one-sided CI, 69% to 100%) with rerevision for aseptic loosening as the end point. The average subsidence was 3 mm and stable relative to our previous report. Although three early femoral fractures occurred after this surgery, in this update no additional fractures were seen. In conclusion, the probability of survival of femoral component revisions with impaction bone-grafting and a cemented polished stem was excellent at a mean of seventeen years.