Polymers in 3D printing of external maxillofacial prostheses and in their retention systems.

Maxillofacial defects, arising from trauma, oncological disease or congenital abnormalities, detrimentally affect daily life. Prosthetic repair offers the aesthetic and functional reconstruction with the help of materials mimicking natural tissues. 3D polymer printing enables the design of patient-specific prostheses with high structural complexity, as well as rapid and low-cost fabrication on-demand. However, 3D printing for prosthetics is still in the early stage of development and faces various challenges for widespread use. This is because the most suitable polymers for maxillofacial restoration are soft materials that do not have the required printability, mechanical strength of the printed parts, as well as functionality. This review focuses on the challenges and opportunities of 3D printing techniques for production of polymer maxillofacial prostheses using computer-aided design and modeling software. Review discusses the widely used polymers, as well as their blends and composites, which meet the most important assessment criteria, such as the physicochemical, biological, aesthetic properties and processability in 3D printing. In addition, strategies for improving the polymer properties, such as their printability, mechanical strength, and their ability to print multimaterial and architectural structures are highlighted. The current state of the prosthetic retention system is presented with a focus on actively used polymer adhesives and the recently implemented prosthesis-supporting osseointegrated implants, with an emphasis on their creation from 3D-printed polymers. The successful prosthetics is discussed in terms of the specificity of polymer materials at the restoration site. The approaches and technological prospects are also explored through the examples of the nasal, auricle and ocular prostheses, ranging from prototypes to end-use products.

Femoral Periprosthetic Fracture Nonunion Management and Outcomes with Nonunion Repair and Retention of Primary Components.

INTRODUCTION: Nonunion of a femoral periprosthetic fracture is a rare occurrence in orthopedic practice. Failure of a periprosthetic fracture to heal can lead to substantial disability and pain for patients as well as the potential need for component revision. Relatively little literature exists describing their management and outcome. METHODS: Eleven patients with femoral periprosthetic fracture nonunion who presented for tertiary care were enrolled in a prospective data registry. Patients were considered to have developed nonunion following failure of progression in radiographic and clinical healing for a 6-month period. All patients were seen at standard postoperative intervals, and outcomes were recorded using the Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment (SMFA), visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, physical examination, and radiographic examination. Preoperative radiographs were reviewed for classification. RESULTS: Eleven patients had periprosthetic femoral fracture nonunion associated with prior hip (five patients) or knee (six patients) arthroplasty and were included in our study. Mean follow-up time was 30 months. Mean age at time of nonunion surgery was 64.5 years (range: 41.8 to 78.2 years). All patients underwent removal of previous fracture hardware at time of nonunion surgery. Ten (91%) of 11 received autogenous iliac crest bone grafting at time of nonunion surgery. Ten (91%) of the 11 patients went on to union without further intervention. Mean time to union was 7.9 months (SD: 8.0). The one patient that developed a persistent nonunion was complicated by infection requiring multiple irrigation and debridement procedures and total hip explant. The mean improvement in total SMFA score from baseline to final follow-up was 22.6 (p = 0.030). The greatest functional improvement was in the bothersome index at 28.0 (p = 0.028). The mean improvement in VAS pain score from baseline to final follow-up was 4.5 (p = 0.013). DISCUSSION: Periprosthetic fracture nonunions can be successfully treated with operative intervention aimed at compression plating with bone graft and retention of primary components. In addition, successful periprosthetic nonunion repair improves function and pain in these patients.

Screw fixation in stemless shoulder arthroplasty for the treatment of primary osteoarthritis leads to less osteolysis when compared to impaction fixation.

BACKGROUND: Stemless total shoulder arthroplasty is a well-established and reliable surgical treatment option for glenohumeral osteoarthritis resulting in loss of pain and improvement of shoulder function. Currently the two methods for the fixation of the humeral component are either screw fixation or impaction. The purpose of this study is the clinical and radiological comparison of two different stemless designs (screw fixation vs impaction) for total shoulder arthroplasties in patients suffering from primary glenohumeral osteoarthritis. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study including 39 patients with a mean age of 67 years and a minimum follow-up of 2 years was performed. Patients were separated into two groups based on the selected implant. In group A (n = 18) a screw fixation design and in group B (n = 21) an impaction type design was used. For clinical examination the Constant-Murley-Score (CS) and Subjective-Shoulder-Value (SSV) were evaluated. Radiological examination was performed on true-AP, axial and Y-view radiographs. RESULTS: In group A the CS increased from 27.1 to 65.2 points and SSV from 27.3 to 76.7% (p > 0.05). No osteolysis of the medial calcar or subsidence of the humeral implant were found in this group. In group B the CS increased from 29.0 to 72.6 points and SSV from 33.1 to 85% (p < 0.05). Osteolysis of the medial calcar was present in seven patients in this group. No signs for humeral loosening were found in both groups. CONCLUSION: Impaction and screw fixation total shoulder arthroplasty for primary glenohumeral osteoarthritis using a stemless device provide reliable clinical results. The screw fixation seems to prevent osteolysis of the medial calcar.

Experience with Minimally Invasive Ponto Surgery and Linear Incision Approach for Pediatric and Adult Bone Anchored Hearing Implants.

PURPOSE: To compare intra- and postoperative outcomes between the standard linear incision with tissue preservation and the Minimally Invasive Ponto Surgery (MIPS). STUDY DESIGN: A non-randomized retrospective cohort series. METHODS: Medical files were reviewed of adult and pediatric bone anchored hearing implant recipients. Extracted outcomes included patient characteristics, implant survival, operative time, anesthesia use, intra and postoperative complications, soft tissue tolerability assessed by the Holger's classification, and implant stability assessed by the Resonance Frequency Analysis (RFA). Outcomes were compared between two surgeries. RESULTS: A total of 59 implants were placed (21 MIPS; 38 linear). Conductive hearing loss was the most common etiology for implantation. Surgery was conducted under local anesthesia in 67% of MIPS patients and 16% of linear patients. No intraoperative complications were reported for both surgical approaches and no implants were lost. Patients undergoing implantation via the MIPS approach displayed less skin reaction postoperatively, however this was not significant (P = .2848). The most common Holgers score for both groups was grade 1. The median and mean surgical duration for the MIPS group was statistically lower than the linear group (P = .0001). Implant stability measured by the RFA implant stability quotient was greater in the MIPS cohort. CONCLUSION: The MIPS approach seems either similar or superior to the linear approach in all perioperative outcomes evaluated. Outcomes such as surgical duration, anesthesia choice and implant stability measurements support implantation through the MIPS approach for patients meeting eligibility criteria.

Quantitative Stent Graft Motion in ECG Gated CT by Image Registration and Segmentation: In Vitro Validation and Preliminary Clinical Results.

OBJECTIVES: The dynamic endovascular environment of stent grafts may influence long term outcome after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). The sealing and fixation of a stent graft to the aortic wall is challenged at every heartbeat, yet knowledge of the cardiac induced dynamics of stent grafts is sparse. Understanding the stent-artery interaction is crucial for device development and may aid the prediction of failure in the individual patient. The aim of this work was to establish quantitative stent graft motion in multiphasic electrocardiogram (ECG) gated computed tomography (CT) by image registration and segmentation techniques. METHODS: Experimental validation was performed by evaluating a series of ECG gated CT scans of a stent graft moving at different amplitudes of displacement at different virtual heart rates using a motion generating device with synchronised ECG triggering. The methodology was further tested on clinical data of patients treated with EVAR devices with different stent graft designs. Displacement during the cardiac cycle was analysed for points on the fixating stent rings, the branches or fenestrations, and the spine. RESULTS: Errors for the amplitude of displacement measured in vitro at individual points on the wire frame were at most 0.3 mm. In situ cardiac induced displacement of the devices was found to differ per location and also depended on the type of stent graft. Displacement during the cardiac cycle was greatest in a fenestrated device and smallest in a chimney graft sac anchoring endosystem, with maximum displacement varying from 0.0 to 1.4 mm. There was no substantial displacement measurable in the spine. CONCLUSIONS: A novel methodology to quantify and visualise stent graft motion in multiphasic ECG gated CT has been validated in vitro and tested in vivo. This methodology enables further exploration of in situ motion of different stent grafts and branch stents and their interaction with native vessels.

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.

Permanent His-bundle pacing using stylet-directed, active-fixation leads placed via coronary sinus sheaths compared to conventional lumen-less system.

BACKGROUND: The use of coronary sinus (CS) sheaths to deliver stylet-driven leads (SDLs) for His-bundle pacing (HBP) has not been described. Conventionally, HBP is achieved using a stylet-less lead delivered through a customized catheter. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to characterize the acute and early-term HBP experience with stylet-driven, active-fixation leads delivered through CS sheaths compared to the conventional approach. METHODS: Delivery of Medtronic 4471 and 7742 SDLs was attempted in 27 patients. Delivery was facilitated using CS guide catheters and custom-shaped stylets. Procedural characteristics and lead performance were compared to those of a group of 17 patients in whom delivery of 3830 lumen-less leads (LLLs) was attempted. Patients had heterogeneous pacing indications. RESULTS: HBP with SDL was successful in 24 of 27 patients(89%) compared to 15 of 17 patients (88%) in the LLL group. Mean procedural and fluoroscopy times in the SDL and LLL groups were 129 ± 43 minutes vs 104 ± 43 minutes and 9.6 ± 5.2 minutes vs 8.3 ± 5.0 minutes, respectively (both P = NS). There was a significant difference in procedure and fluoroscopy times within the SDL group between the first and second halves of the series, probably secondary to a learning curve. Acute HBP thresholds were higher with SDL than with LLL (2.6 ± 1.5 V vs 1.5 ± 1.2 V; P = .02) and remained stable at 8.4 ± 5.3 months. Both SDLs exhibited similar pacing thresholds. Two crossovers between groups occurred (1 in each group). Four patients with SDL and 1 patient with LLL exhibited high thresholds during follow-up. CONCLUSION: Permanent HBP using stylet-driven, active-fixation leads delivered through conventional CS sheaths is feasible. Procedural characteristics and lead performance were clinically acceptable.

Dual-mobility cups in revision acetabular reconstructions: Short-term outcomes in high-risk patients for instability.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of dual-mobility (DM) cup systems for revision total hip arthroplasty (rTHA) in patients who had high risk for instability. METHODS: We prospectively followed up 34 hips of 30 patients (27 females, 3 males; mean age: 66.1 (range: 33 to 89) years) who underwent rTHA with DM cups for aseptic loosening in 23 hips, infection treatment as second or single stage in nine hips, and instability in two hips. Clinical functions of the patients were evaluated using the Harris Hip Score (HHS), and radiological migration or loosening of the DM cups were recorded. The survival of the components was calculated with the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and failure was defined as any dislocation of the polyethylene (PE) insert, intraprosthetic dislocation (IPD), aseptic loosening of any component or total hip system revision due to any reason. RESULTS: The mean duration of follow-up was 3.52 (range: 2.05 to 6.26) years. There was one dislocation of PE insert (2.9%), which was treated with closed reduction. There were two (5.8%) re-revisions for cemented DM cup due to migration. There was one PE insert and head change due to subacute infection. The mean HHS increased from 42.8 ± 6.7 (range: 34 to 60) points preoperatively to 87.3 ± 5.8 (range: 75 to 98) points postoperatively. The cumulative survival rate of the DM cup system was 91.2% (95% CI: 81.6-100%) with any revision, 94.1% (95% CI: 86.2-100%) with aseptic loosening and %97.1 (%95 CI: 91.4-100%) with dislocation as the end point at 3.5 years. CONCLUSION: Dual-mobility cups may provide good stability and represent a good option for revision acetabular reconstruction in patients who have high risk for instability. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic study.

Long-term single-centre large volume experience with transseptal endocardial left ventricular lead implantation.

AIMS: The aim of our study was to investigate the long-term efficacy and safety of transseptal endocardial left ventricular lead implantation (TELVLI). METHODS AND RESULTS: Transseptal endocardial left ventricular lead implantation was performed in 54 patients (44 men, median age 69, New York Heart Association III-IV stage) between 2007 and 2017 in a single centre. In 36 cases, the transseptal puncture (TP) was performed via the femoral vein, and in 18 cases, the TP and also the left ventricular (LV) lead placement were performed via the subclavian vein. An electrophysiological deflectable catheter was used to reach the LV wall through the dilated TP hole. The LV lead implantation was successful in all patients. A total of 54 patients were followed up for a median of 29 months [interquartile range (IQR) 8-40 months], the maximum follow-up time was 94 months. Significant improvement in the LV ejection fraction was observed at the 3-month visit, from the median of 27% (IQR 25-34%) to 33% (IQR 32-44%), P < 0.05. Early lead dislocation was observed in three cases (5%), reposition was performed using the original puncture site in all. The patients were maintained on anticoagulation therapy with a target international normalized ratio between 2.5 and 3.5. Four thromboembolic events were noticed during follow-up. A total of 27 patients died, with a median survival of 15 months (IQR 6-40). CONCLUSION: The TELVLI is an effective approach for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) however it is associated with a substantial thromboembolic risk (7%).

Feasibility and safety of duodenal covered self-expandable metallic stent fixation: an experimental study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Migration of duodenal covered self-expandable metallic stents (C-SEMS) is the main cause of stent dysfunction in patients with malignant gastric outlet obstruction. However, the ideal method to prevent migration has not been clarified. We aimed to evaluate the feasibility and safety of duodenal C-SEMS fixation in this experimental study. METHODS: We used the over-the-scope clip (OTSC), suture, and clip methods to fix duodenal C-SEMS and evaluated the gripping force of each device and invasion depth based on pathological findings. RESULTS: The OTSC and suturing systems had a significantly higher mean gripping force compared with the clipping system (OTSC vs. clip: 13.2 vs. 1.0 Newtons [N], P < 0.001; suture vs. clip: 8.5 vs. 1.0 N, P < 0.001). OTSC compression was stronger compared with suturing (OTSC vs. suture: 13.2 vs. 8.5 N, P = 0.006). The submucosal layer, but not the muscle layer, was compressed more widely and deeply by OTSC compared with clips based on pathological findings by hematoxylin and eosin staining. CONCLUSION: Both OTSC and suturing methods used for duodenal C-SEMS fixation were feasible compared with the clipping method. The pathological evaluation of invasion depth indicated that OTSC may be safe even for preventive use. This study suggested that these methods can be applied clinically for duodenal C-SEMS fixation.

Nonimplant, Nonadhesive Overlay Approach to Retain a Partial Auricular Prosthesis.

Partial auricular prosthesis fabrication presents a more complex challenge than complete ear fabrication, with added aspects of merging/camouflaging a larger prosthetic marginal area, pattern try-in, and compromised retention. Better alternatives are excision of the remnant ear to make an implant-retained complete ear prosthesis or surgical reconstruction of the missing ear portion. Both need additional surgery/ies and expenses, neither of which may be acceptable to the patient. This report describes a prosthesis fabrication approach for such patients. This approach does not require implants or adhesives for retention. Issues of marginal camouflage and pattern trial were also addressed satisfactorily.

Leadless Cardiac Pacemaker (LCP) without Diagnostic Relevant Artifacts in DualSource and DualEnergy-CT Examinations in First- to Third-Generation DSCT Scanner.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: To identify the influence and artifact burden in cardiac CT imaging of a leadless cardiac pacemaker (LCP) performed with all three generations of DualSource CT (DSCT) Scanners. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The LCP was examined in DSCT scanners of the first to third generation using DualEnergy (DECT) and DSCT as well as alterations of the current-time product. For DECT examinations, virtual monoenergetic images were computed manually on a dedicated workstation. Virtual voltage was manually selected by subjective assessment of the lowest artifact burden. Systematic variations of the pacemaker angle to the gantry were assessed, too. The angle was successively increased by 10°, ranging from 0° to 90°. Artifact burden was quantified on a five-point Likert scale (1- no artifacts, 2- few artifacts, 3- moderate artifacts, 4- many artifacts, and 5- massive artifacts). Likert values of 1-3 were considered diagnostic and assessed by two board-certified radiologists in consensus. RESULTS: In total, 200 examinations were analyzed, a mean Likert value of 1.93 ± 0.61 was found overall. None of the images were assessed Likert value >3. The positioning evaluation showed a clear and significant reduction of artifact burden toward lower angles, (0°: 1.4 ± 0.5 vs. 90° 2.55 ± 0.51). At scanner level, second-generation DSCT performed significantly better (1.68 ± 0.47) than both other scanners. Comparison of technique (DECT vs. DSCT) revealed a significantly improved image quality in DSCT examinations. CONCLUSION: LCP can be safely examined in DSCT scanner of the first to third generation with the evaluated protocols and techniques, which are currently in use. Artifact burden can be significantly reduced by aligning or approaching the LCP's longitudinal axis toward the scanner's z-axis.

High Correlation Between Achieved and Expected Distraction Using Magnetically Controlled Growth Rods (MCGR) With Rib to Pelvis Fixation in Pediatric Spine Deformity.

PURPOSE: Magnetically controlled implant systems have been established to treat severe progressive spinal deformity in children. The purpose of this study was to evaluate (1) the ratio between achieved and expected distraction length, (2) the complication rate and its risk factors as well as (3) the correlation of the distraction length and the length of the spine. METHODS: A total of 40 patients with an average follow-up of 34 (14 to 57) months were prospectively included in the study. Children underwent lengthening procedures every three months. The ratio between the distraction lengths was determined by comparing the measured distraction length of the rod on radiographs with the distraction length displayed on the external remote controller for the magnetically controlled growing rod (MCGR). Age, weight, height, and complications were repeatedly recorded. RESULTS: The analysis of 746 procedures showed the actual distraction to be 94.4% of the expected one. No difference between implants on the concave and convex spinal side was observed. The overall complication rate was 4.6% mainly because of failure of the implant or lack of implant extension, which was directly related to an increased BMI. There was also a strong correlation between achieved implant distraction length and gain in spinal length. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates a high ratio (0.94) between achieved and expected distraction length of magnetically controlled spinal rods. The complication rate was low (4.6%) and correlated to a high BMI. The correlation between the achieved implant distraction length and spinal length indicates the efficiency of the MCGR therapy. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level IV.

Septic complication following porous hydroxyapatite cranioplasty: prosthesis retention management.

After failing of autologous cranioplasty or when the bone flap is unavailable, the alloplastic (heterologous) materials are the choice for cranial reconstruction. No agreement has been reported about the material with a significant lower risk of septic complications. This is due to extremely heterogeneous prognostic factors related not only to the material used but also to the surgical procedures and/or to the timing of the procedure. More attention should be focused on the material whose characteristic could enable a delay in bacterial colonization, where an antibiotic therapy could be effective, without need of prosthesis removal. Four cases of severe septic complication following cranioplasty with porous hydroxyapatite (HA) prosthesis are presented. Patients were conservatively treated, without heterologous bone flap removal. All of our patients presented reasons for delaying HA cranioplasty removal: patients #1, 3, and 4 had an associated shunted hydrocephalus and the need for not removing the prosthesis was related to the predictable recurrence of overshunting and/or sinking skin flap syndrome. In patient #4, the revision surgery would have also damaged the microvascular flap with latissimus dorsi muscle used by plastic surgeon for skin reconstruction. In patient #2, the patient refused revision surgery. In all cases, systemic and/or radiological signs of infection were observed. In patient #2 the infective process surrounded completely the HA prosthesis, while it was located in the epidural region in patients #1 and 4. In patient #3, a surgical curettage of the infected wound was performed over the HA prosthesis. Following prosthesis retention management with antibiotic therapy, all patients revealed systemic and/or radiological signs of sepsis resolution at follow-up. The possibility to avoid a prosthesis removal with effective antibiotic treatment is mainly due to the combination of three factors: targeted antibiotic therapy, good anatomical area revascularization (resulting of an "in situ" intake of antibiotics), and the biomimetism of HA prosthesis. Further investigations in a larger number of cases need to confirm these observations.

Methods of fixation of intraocular lenses according to the anatomical structures in trauma eyes.

Ocular trauma can lead to severe visual impairment and morbidity, depending on the anatomical structures affected. The main causes of ocular trauma include foreign bodies, impact by an object, falls, and chemicals. Most ocular traumas occur in children or young male adults. A meticulous slit lamp examination is crucial for assessing all anatomical structures. Trauma to the crystalline lens can result in dislocation, an intralenticular foreign body, cataract, fragmentation, and capsular breach. An intraocular lens (IOL) can endure subluxation or luxation under the conjunctiva, into the anterior chamber or the vitreous, or can be extruded. The surgical approach depends on the condition and morphology of the lens and the anatomical structures surrounding it. If there is capsular bag support, a secondary IOL can be placed in the sulcus using remnants of the damaged capsule. If there is no capsular bag support, a secondary IOL can be fixated to the anterior chamber angle, to the iris, or to the sclera. A detailed history of injury cannot always be obtained in trauma settings. Proper education, supervision, and certified safety eye protectors could prevent up to 90% of ocular injuries. Lens trauma can be treated with various surgical procedures and fixation techniques, which nevertheless require advanced surgical skills owing to the fine anatomical structure of the anterior segment. A careful surgical strategy should be established for a globe reconstruction after trauma with secondary lens implantation. Clin. Anat. 31:6-15, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

[Significance of the level of implantation of the 'E-vita open plus' hybrid stent graft into the descending aorta in the development of spinal ischaemic complications]. / Znachenie urovnia implantatsii gibridnogo stent-grafta 'E-vita open plus' v niskhodiashchuiu aortu v razvitii spinal'nykh ishemicheskikh oslozhnenii.

Spinal ischaemia in patients after reconstruction of the thoracic aorta is referred to the category of the most severe postoperative complications, especially in hybrid interventions. The present study was aimed at assessing the risks for the development of spinal ischaemia in patients after implantation of the 'E-vita open plus' stent graft into the descending portion of the thoracic aorta during hybrid reconstruction. The 'E-vita open plus' hybrid stent graft (Jotec, Germany) was implanted to 18 patients presenting with various pathology of the thoracic aorta (dissection, aneurysms). All operations were carried out in the conditions of moderate hypothermia, circulatory arrest and antegrade perfusion of the brain through the brachiocephalic trunk. It was determined that the distal end of the stent graft was located at the level of Th7-Th12. In 12 (66.7%) cases the 'lower' edge of the stent graft was located at the level of thoracic vertebrae Th8-Th9. Before the operation the number of open pairs of intercostal arteries amounted to 10 [9, 11]. After the operation, the number of the open pairs of the segmental arteries amounted to 3 [1; 4], they were all in the lower thoracic portion; the above-located intercostal arteries were shut by the stent graft. In 17 (94.5%) cases in the early postoperative period there were no signs of spinal ischaemia. Only one (5.5%) patient was clinically diagnosed to have developed transient spinal ischaemia noted to disappear spontaneously within the first 24 hours. A conclusion was made that using the 'E-vita open plus' stent graft in the course of hybrid reconstruction of the thoracic aorta was accompanied by the minimal risk for spinal ischaemic complications. The level of the location of the distal edge of the stent graft is not the determining factor in the risks of spinal complications in of such similar operations.

Debridement and implant retention in the management of hip periprosthetic joint infection: outcomes following guided and rapid treatment at a single centre.

AIMS: To analyse the effectiveness of debridement and implant retention (DAIR) in patients with hip periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) and the relationship to patient characteristics. The outcome was evaluated in hips with confirmed PJI and a follow-up of not less than two years. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients in whom DAIR was performed were identified from our hip arthroplasty register (between 2004 and 2013). Adherence to criteria for DAIR was assessed according to a previously published algorithm. RESULTS: DAIR was performed as part of a curative procedure in 46 hips in 42 patients. The mean age was 73.2 years (44.6 to 87.7), including 20 women and 22 men. In 34 hips in 32 patients (73.9%), PJI was confirmed. In 12 hips, the criteria for PJI were not fulfilled and antibiotics stopped. In 41 (89.1%) of all hips and in 32 (94.1%) of the confirmed PJIs, all criteria for DAIR were fulfilled. In patients with exogenous PJI, DAIR was performed not more than three days after referral. In haematogenous infections, the duration of symptoms did not exceed 21 days. In 28 hips, a single debridement and in six hips two surgical debridements were required. In 28 (87.5%) of 32 patients, the total treatment duration was three months. Failure was noted in three hips (9%). Long-term follow-up results (mean 4.0 years, 1.4 to 10) were available in 30 of 34 (88.2%) confirmed PJIs. The overall successful outcome rate was 91% in 34 hips, and 90% in 30 hips with long-term follow-up results. CONCLUSION: Prompt surgical treatment with DAIR, following strict diagnostic and therapeutic criteria, in patients with suspected periprosthetic joint infection, can lead to high rates of success in eradicating the infection. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2017;99-B:330-6.