Staphylococcus aureus nasal decolonization in joint replacement surgery reduces infection.

UNLABELLED: Surgical site infections (SSIs) with Staphylococcus aureus are a recognized adverse event of hip and knee replacements. We evaluated the impact of a program to detect S. aureus nasal carriers before surgery with preoperative decolonization (using mupirocin twice daily for 5 days prior to surgery) of carriers. Nasal swab samples were obtained from patients prior to surgery from 8/1/2003 through 2/28/2005. Samples were tested using real-time PCR technology to detect S. aureus. The group that developed S. aureus SSI was compared to a combined concurrent and historical control for one year following the operation. S. aureus caused 71% of SSIs in the combined control groups. Of the 1495 surgical candidates evaluated, 912 (61.0%) were screened for S. aureus; 223 of those screened (24.5%) were positive and then decolonized with mupirocin. Among the 223 positive and decolonized patients, three (1.3%) developed a SSI. Among the 689 screen-negative patients, four (0.6%) developed SSIs for an overall rate of 0.77%. Among the 583 control patients who were not screened or decolonized, 10 (1.7%) developed S. aureus SSIs. SSIs from other organisms were 0.44% and 0.69%, respectively. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, therapeutic study. See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Case series report: Early cement-implant interface fixation failure in total knee replacement.

BACKGROUND: Early failure in cemented total knee replacement (TKR) due to aseptic loosening is uncommon. A small number of early failures requiring revision were observed at one hospital due to observed cement-implant fixation failure. The purpose of this case series is to report and identify possible causes for these early failures. METHODS: Between May 2005 and December 2010, 3048 primary TKRs were performed over a five-year period of time by six surgeons. Two total knee systems were used during this period of time. Nine early failures were observed in eight patients. High viscosity cement (HVC) was used in all these cases. RESULTS: Aseptic loosening of the tibial component was observed in all nine early total knee failures. The high viscosity bone cement was noted to be non-adherent to the tibial trays at the time of revision surgery. HVC was used in all these cases. CONCLUSIONS: Properties of HVC may contribute to make it more susceptible to early failure in a small number of TKRs. HVC in total hip replacement (THR) has been associated with cement micro-fractures, cement debris generation and early implant failure. The mechanical properties of HVC may similarly contribute to early failure at the cement-implant interface in a small percentage TKRs.

A simple capsulorrhaphy in a posterior approach for total hip arthroplasty.

In an attempt to decrease a 4% incidence of posterior hip dislocation following a posterior approach, a simple capsulorrhaphy was utilized in 255 consecutive primary total hip arthroplasties performed by 1 surgeon. All patients were reviewed at a minimum of 2 years' postoperatively, and no patient was lost to follow-up. One patient sustained a posterior hip dislocation, whereas there were no anterior hip dislocations. The dislocation rate of 0.4% is equal to or less than the rates of dislocation reported in the literature using other posterior repairs. This technique differs from other reported methods because of its simplicity and ease of repair. Only the capsule (and not the rotators) is sutured to the medius tendon (not to bone), creating an elastic endpoint that is less likely to disrupt during the healing process.