DAIR (Debridement, Antibiotics and Implant Retention) less effective in hematogenous total knee arthroplasty infections.

BACKGROUND: Debridement and irrigation with prosthetic retention followed by antibiotic therapy (DAIR) is one of the treatments of choice in acute infections after a total knee arthroplasty. However, the success rate varies widely in the literature, depending on several factors such as comorbidities of the patient, duration of infection, and microorganisms involved. The goal of this study was to assess the outcomes of this therapeutic option and to identify possible predictors of the result. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed cases of acute postoperative (≤ 3 months from index procedure) and acute hematogenous periprosthetic knee infections treated with DAIR at our hospital between 2004 and 2016. Overall, 26 knees were included, with a mean age of 73.4 years. Several variables related to patient characteristics, infection type, and surgery were examined to evaluate their influence on outcome, and functional and radiographic outcome were assessed. The mean follow-up was 41 months. A descriptive analysis was carried out on the collected data, and a univariate analysis was performed with the objective of searching for influential factors in the resolution of the infection using the chi-square nonparametric test in the case of the categorical variables and the Wilcoxon test for the continuous ones. Moreover, univariate cox regression analysis was performed. RESULTS: The overall success rate was 77% at the last follow-up, recording a significantly greater cure in acute infections (93% acute vs 58% acute hematogenous, p = 0.03). The infections in which the Staphylococcus aureus was isolated had a significantly lower cure rate, with only 33% of success, compared to 82% of the non-aureus microorganisms (p <  0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The present study shows a considerable cure rate in the treatment of acute knee infections through DAIR, although patient comorbidities, type of infection, and causative microorganism should be considered for decision-making.

Outcomes of Vancouver B2 and B3 periprosthetic femoral fractures after total hip arthroplasty in elderly patients.

INTRODUCTION:: The objective was to evaluate clinical and radiological outcomes of Vancouver B2 and B3 periprosthetic femoral fractures in patients older than 65 years treated at our institution from 2000 to 2014. We compared the most common methods of fixation: a modular tapered rectangular titanium stem versus a monoblock tapered stem. METHODS:: A retrospective review was performed with a minimum follow-up time of 2 years. Patient mobility in the period prior to the fracture and after fracture healing and functional results was assessed according to the Harris Hip Score. RESULTS:: A total of 43 Vancouver B2 and B3 periprosthetic fractures fulfilled the inclusion criteria (31 type B2 and 13 type B3). The mean age was 78 years old (66-88 years). The mean follow-up time was 5 years (range 2-12 years). A Wagner stem was used in 19 patients and a modular rectangular stem was implanted in 24 patients. Although fracture union was achieved in 93% of the cases, the mean Harris Hip Score was 73 (34-87) and 41.9% of the patients did not return to their previous ambulatory levels ( p = 0.0049). Dislocation was the most common complication (16.3%). We have found association ( p = 0.07) between subsidence with a mean of 4.14 mm and dislocation. No difference was observed between B2 and B3 fractures or between modular and monoblock stems. DISCUSSION:: Although we reported good results of fracture healing, there were functional impairment and a high rate of complications, especially dislocation, in Vancouver B2 and B3 periprosthetic fractures in elderly patients.