The Exeter Short Revision Stem for Cement-in-Cement Femoral Revision: A Five to Twelve Year Review.

BACKGROUND: Cement-in-cement femoral revision is a proven technique in revision total hip arthroplasty, with excellent results reported using standard-sized Exeter stems. The Exeter 44/00/125 short revision stem was introduced in 2004 to facilitate cement-in-cement revision. The stem is 25-mm shorter and has a slimmer body than standard stems to facilitate adjustment of depth of insertion and stem version. It is not known if this change in stem size affects its long-term performance. We therefore reviewed the outcome of all Exeter short revision stems used for cement-in-cement revision in our unit, with a minimum of 5 years of follow-up. METHOD: One hundred sixty-six cases were performed between 2004 and 2010. Mean follow-up of surviving patients was 8.1 years (range 5.0-11.7). The fate of all 166 hips were known and included in the survival analysis. RESULTS: Median clinical scores improved significantly. Sixteen hips required re-revision (infection 6, loose cup 3, periprosthetic fracture 3, instability 2, stem fracture with chronic infection 1, and pain 1). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis at 10 years revealed 100% survival for aseptic stem loosening, 96.8% survival for stem failure, and 88.9% survival for all causes. CONCLUSION: The Exeter short revision stem performed as well as standard length stems for cement-in-cement revision in this the largest and longest review of their use. Larger registry-based studies may provide additional information on the performance of this stem.

Low rate of Propionibacterium acnes in arthritic shoulders undergoing primary total shoulder replacement surgery using a strict specimen collection technique.

BACKGROUND: Propionibacterium acnes is a recognized pathogen in postoperative shoulder infections. A recent study reported growth of P acnes in 42% of glenohumeral joints in primary shoulder arthroplasty, concluding that P acnes may cause shoulder osteoarthritis. Whether these results reflect true bacterial infection or specimen contamination is unclear. Our prospective study aimed to determine the rate of P acnes infection in arthritic shoulders using a strict specimen collection technique. METHODS: We used modified Oxford protocol to collect tissue specimens from the glenohumeral joint of 32 consecutive patients undergoing primary shoulder arthroplasty. Specimens were cultured specifically for P acnes. Diagnosis of P acnes infection required 2 or more positive cultures and histopathology compatible with infection. RESULTS: Three of 32 patients had a positive culture for P acnes. Overall, 3.125% of specimens grew P acnes without histologic evidence of infection. There were no patients with P acnes infection. The difference in culture rates between patients with idiopathic osteoarthritis and those with a predisposing cause for osteoarthritis was not significant. CONCLUSIONS: We found a low rate of positive cultures for P acnes, but no P acnes infection and no difference between types of osteoarthritis. These results do not support a cause-and-effect relationship between P acnes and osteoarthritis. The differing results from previous studies are likely explained by our strict specimen collection technique, reflecting different rates of contamination rather than infection. That P acnes contamination occurs in primary shoulder arthroplasty is concerning. Further studies are needed to assess the rates of contamination in shoulder surgery, its clinical effect, and to determine optimal antibiotic prophylaxis.

Mobile garbage bins and hand injuries in older people.

OBJECTIVES: To conduct a database search, chart and literature review of open extensor tendon and proximal interphalangeal joint injuries incurred while handling mobile garbage bins. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: A review of medical records at a Sydney tertiary referral hospital and a NSW rural Level 2 trauma hospital from 1 January 2006 to 31 December 2010, identified through database searches of appropriate medical record codes and followed by a chart review. RESULTS: We identified 11 patients with finger injuries from handling mobile garbage bins that necessitated hospital-based treatments. Their average age was 75 years. Eight patients required surgery. Patients typically fell while maintaining their grip on mobile garbage bin handles, causing abrasive injury to the dorsal aspect of the proximal interphalangeal joint. CONCLUSIONS: Older patients are at risk of significant injuries to the dorsal side of their fingers when manoeuvring mobile garbage bins. This risk could be reduced by providing older members of the community with help to move their bins, or by modifying the design of bin handles. We propose a simple modification to the design of bin handles.