Two-stage revision total hip arthroplasty for periprosthetic infections using antibiotic-impregnated cement spacers of various types and materials.

Antibiotic-impregnated hip cement spacers of various types and materials have been used in the treatment of periprosthetic hip infections. We developed a handmade spacer by using polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and/or α -tricalcium phosphate ( α -TCP). In this study, we retrospectively reviewed the surgical outcomes in 36 consecutive patients treated with 2-stage revision total hip arthroplasty by using our antibiotic-impregnated hip cement spacers. We aimed to analyze the infection control and reinfection rates after revision surgery. Moreover, we analyzed the possible predictors of postoperative reinfection. After exclusion of 1 patient who died immediately after the first-stage surgery, infection was controlled in 33 of the 36 hips (success rate, 91.7%). Two of these 33 hips underwent resection arthroplasty. Of the 36 hips that had been treated with the antibiotic-cement spacer, 31 hips (86.1%) were eligible for the second-stage prosthesis re-implantation. The 31 protocol hip joints of patients followed up for >6 months (mean, 48.6 months). Ten of these 31 hips (32.3%) became reinfected. No possible predictor examined differed significantly between the reinfection-positive and reinfection-negative groups. However, spacers consisting of PMMA cement alone were associated with the highest risk of reinfection. Therefore, α -TCP-containing antibiotic-impregnated hip cement spacers might decrease the reinfection rate in patients undergoing re-implantation.

Revision total hip arthroplasty using an interlocking stem with an allograft-prosthesis composite.

We report the clinical and radiographic outcomes and complications of revision surgery using a cementless interlocking stem with an allograft-prosthesis composite (APC). This study included 11 patients with an average follow-up of 73 years. Of the 11 revisions, 1 was aseptic, 7 were septic, and 3 were periprosthetic femoral fractures. The mean Harris hip score improved from 25.6 points before surgery to 74.8 points at final follow-up. Osseous union at the proximal allograft-host bone junction occurred in 10 hips (90.9%) ; the greater trochanter did not unite in 4 of 7 hips (57.1%). Moderate and severe allograft resorption occurred in one hip each. Postoperative complications included 1 deep infection, 2 heterotopic ossifications, and 1 dislocation. Using an interlocking stem with an allograft-prosthesis composite in revision surgery provided acceptable results in the presence of circumferential massive bone deficiency of the proximal femur.

Double-layered antibiotic-loaded cement spacer as a novel alternative for managing periprosthetic joint infection: an in vitro study.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies comparing antibiotic-loaded calcium phosphate cement to polymethylmethacrylate cement reported that although the former has higher elution volumes over a longer period, it is mechanically weak when used alone. To counter this problem, a double-layered antibiotic-loaded cement spacer in which calcium phosphate cement is coated with polymethylmethacrylate cement was created. METHODS: In this study, we compared the double-layered spacer to the polymethylmethacrylate cement spacer in terms of eluent antibiotic concentration, bioactivity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and mechanical strength. Double-layered and polymethylmethacrylate cement spacers that were loaded with vancomycin (VCM) were prepared and immersed in phosphate buffer for 84 days. To facilitate VCM elution from calcium phosphate cores in double-layered spacers, we also drilled multiple holes into the calcium phosphate layer from the spacer surface. RESULTS: We found that VCM concentrations in double-layered spacer eluents were higher than those in polymethylmethacrylate cement spacer eluents. The double-layered spacer also had higher bioactivity than the polymethylmethacrylate cement spacer. Although the polymethylmethacrylate cement spacer eluent lost the ability to inhibit bacterial growth on day 56, the double-layered spacer eluent maintained this ability for the duration of our study. Finally, the double-layered spacer retained high mechanical strength throughout the study period. CONCLUSIONS: The beneficial biomechanical and drug-eluting properties of the double-layered spacer might qualify it to serve as a promising biomaterial that could be used for managing periprosthetic joint infections.

Hammering sound frequency analysis and prevention of intraoperative periprosthetic fractures during total hip arthroplasty.

Adequate fixation at the time of cementless stem implantation depends on the operator's experience. An objective evaluation method to determine whether the stem has been appropriately implanted may be helpful. We studied the relationship between the hammering sound frequency during stem implantation and internal stress in a femoral model, and evaluated the possible usefulness of hammering sound frequency analysis for preventing intraoperative fracture. Three types of cementless stem (BiCONTACT®, SL-PLUS®, and AI-Hip®) were used. Surgeons performed stem insertion using a procedure similar to that employed in a routine operation. Stress was estimated by finite element analysis, the hammering force was measured, and frequency analysis of hammering sound data obtained using a microphone. Finite element analysis showed a decrease in the hammering sound frequency with an increase in the estimated maximum stress. When a decrease in frequency was observed, adequate hammering had occurred, and the continuation of hammering risked fracture. Based on the relationship between stress and frequency, the evaluation of changes in frequency may be useful for preventing the development of intraoperative fractures. Using our method, when a decrease in frequency is observed, the hammering force should be reduced. Hammering sound frequency analysis may allow the prediction of bone fractures that can be visually confirmed, and may be a useful objective evaluation method for the prevention of intraoperative periprosthetic fractures during stem insertion.