[Septic endoprosthesis exchange : Preoperative diagnosis and reimplantation]. / Septischer Endoprothesenwechsel : Präoperative Diagnostik und Reimplantation.

BACKGROUND: The treatment of prosthetic joint infection (PJI) is truly challenging. Patients with infected arthroplasty face physical and psychosocial problems. Furthermore, treatment costs represent a tremendous socioeconomic burden. AIM: This article presents an overview of the preoperative diagnosis of PJI and one- or two-stage endoprosthetic exchange options. METHOD: A selective literature search was performed focusing on diagnostics and innovative surgical treatment concepts in PJI. RESULTS: The identification of the underlying pathogen is still the main focus in the diagnosis of PJI. State-of-the-art therapy for PJI with mature biofilm consists of implant removal with one- or two-stage exchange arthroplasty. One-stage exchange offers lower morbidity and improved functional outcome, whereas a two-stage procedure is, according to current knowledge, more favourable in terms of infection control. The novel short-term two-stage exchange regimen combines the advantages of both possibilities. DISCUSSION: Prosthetic joint infection represents a significant challenge for the othopaedic surgeon. Novel treatment options can help to improve outcome and lower the costs to the health care system.

[Synovial biomarkers for differential diagnosis of painful arthroplasty]. / Synoviale Biomarker für die Differenzialdiagnostik der schmerzhaften Endoprothese.

BACKGROUND: The diagnosis and treatment of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) remain true clinical challenges. PJI diminishes therapeutic success, causes dissatisfaction for the patient and medical staff, and often requires extensive surgical revision(s). At the present time, an extensive multimodal algorithmic approach is used to avoid time- and cost-consuming diagnostic aberrations. However, especially in the case of the frequent and clinically most relevant "low-grade" PJI, the current diagnostic "gold standard" has reached its limits. EVALUATION: Synovial biomarkers are thought to close this diagnostic gap, hopefully enabling the safe differentiation among aseptic, (chronic) septic, implant allergy-related and the arthrofibrotic genesis of symptomatic arthroplasty. Therefore, joint aspiration for obtaining synovial fluid is preferred over surgical synovial tissue biopsy because of the faster results, greater practicability, greater patient safety, and lower costs. In addition to the parameters synovial IL-6, CRP, and leukocyte esterase, novel biomarkers such as antimicrobial peptides and other proinflammatory cytokines are currently highlighted because of their very high to excellent diagnostic accuracy. CONCLUSION: Independent multicenter validation studies are required to show whether a set of different innovative synovial fluid biomarkers rather than a few single parameters is favorable for a safe "one-stop shop" differential diagnosis of PJI.

[Epidemiology and prevention of prosthetic joint infection]. / Epidemiologie und Prophylaxe periprothetischer Infektionen.

BACKGROUND: Prosthetic joint infection (PJI) is challenging for patients and orthopedic surgeons and represents a great economic burden to the health care system. The growing number of primary and revision arthroplasty procedures in an aging society with demographic changes will increase the number of PJIs in the future. AIM: This article presents an overview of the epidemiology and prevention of PJI. METHOD: A selective literature review was performed focusing on evidence-based epidemiology, risk factors, and prevention of PJI. RESULTS: The total number of primary arthroplasty and septic revision procedures is increasing. The incidence of PJI is constant, although surgical techniques have improved over the years, with a multitude of possible preventive procedures for use before surgical treatment. This is most likely due to the increasing comorbidities and individual risk factors of the patient. Both endogenous and exogenous risk factors are known to be associated with PJI. Endogenous risk factors include diabetes, obesity, immunosuppression, oncological diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, previous or chronic infections, and bacteriuria. Exogenous risk factors include the extended duration of the operation, blood transfusion, and hypothermia. However, the facilities in the operating theatre or the use of iodine-impregnated incision drape seem to have no influence on the incidence of PJI. PROSPECT: The increasing number of arthroplasty procedures and the static incidence of PJI will result in an increase in the total number of PJIs in the next few years. In particular, the costs to the health care system of the treatment of PJI will emphasize further the need for the prevention of PJI. Individual risk factors should be optimized before arthroplasty requiring a close cooperation between the general practitioner and the orthopedic specialist.

[Periprosthetic infections of the hip joint : Clinical approach]. / Periprothetischer Infekt des Hüftgelenks : Klinisches Vorgehen.

BACKGROUND: Increasing rates of periprosthetic joint infections (PJI) will present orthopedic surgeons and the health care system with challenges in the next few years. New concepts in diagnostic and surgical pathways allow specialized centers to offer differentiated therapy of PJI. AIM: This article presents an overview of recent treatment concepts for PJI of the hip emphasizing diagnosis and the clinical approach. METHOD: A selective literature search was performed focusing on evidence-based concepts including diagnostics, surgical treatment, and biofilm active antibiotics. RESULTS: PJI of the hip are classified as mature biofilm or immature biofilm infections. The most important step in the diagnostic procedure is to identify the pathogen and its antimicrobial susceptibility. Preoperative joint aspiration and leukocyte count, differentiation, and microbiological culture should be standard. Arthroscopic biopsy may be necessary to identify the pathogen. Depending on the biofilm maturity and the antimicrobial susceptibility, implant retention or two-stage revisions should be performed. Combination of surgical therapy and biofilm-active antibiotics are of utmost importance for successful treatment. DISCUSSION: PJI represents a significant challenge for the orthopedic surgeon. Evidence-based and standardized clinical pathways are necessary for accurate and rapid diagnosis as well as patient-specific treatment concepts.