Preformed acrylic bone cement spacer loaded with antibiotics: use of two-stage procedure in 10 patients because of infected hips after total replacement

In 10 patients having deep infection after total hip replacement, we used a two-stage revision procedure involving implantation of a preformed spacer with a cylindrical rod coated with acrylic cement containing antibiotics (Spacer-G). This device, which remained in situ for an average of 5 months, permitted healing of the infection in 8 cases and reimplantation of a new prosthesis (mean follow-up 35 months). During treatment, 1 dislocation occurred. The spacer maintained the gap between both bone segments and allowed a certain degree of joint mobility. Use of Spacer-G improved the quality of life of the patients during treatment and accelerated recovery of function after reimplantation.

Femoral revision with the Wagner tapered stem: a ten- to 15-year follow-up study

Revision after failed femoral components may be technically demanding due to loss of peri-prosthetic bone. This retrospective study evaluated the long-term results of femoral revision using the cementless Wagner Self-Locking stem. Between 1992 and 1998, 68 consecutive hips in 66 patients underwent femoral revision using this implant. A total of 25 patients died from unrelated causes without further revision; the remaining 41 hips in 41 patients (12 men and 29 women) with a mean age of 61 years (29 to 80) were reviewed at a mean follow-up of 13.9 years (10.4 to 15.8). A transfemoral approach was used in 32 hips. A total of five stems required further revision because of infection in two, progressive subsidence in two and recurrent dislocation in one. Four hips had dislocated and eight stems had subsided ≥ 10 mm. The mean Harris hip score improved from 33 points pre-operatively to 75 points at final follow-up (p < 0.001). In all, 33 stems (91.7%) showed radiological signs of stable bone fixation. The cumulative survival rates at 15.8 years with femoral revision for any reason and for stem failure as the endpoints were 92.0% (95% confidence interval (CI) 86.0% to 98.4%) and 96.6% (95% CI 92.2% to 100%), respectively. The survivorship with revision and ≥ 10 mm migration of the stem as the endpoint was 83.6% (95% CI 76.6% to 91.4%). This study shows quite good survival and moderate clinical outcome when using a monoblock tapered titanium stem for supporting the regeneration of bone in complex revision hip surgery.

A minimum of 10-year follow-up of the Burch-Schneider cage and bulk allografts for the revision of pelvic discontinuity

Eighteen consecutive hips with pelvic discontinuity and associated periprosthetic bone deficiency were treated with bulk allografts and Burch-Schneider antiprotrusio cage. Clinical and radiographic follow-up was performed at an average of 13.5 (range, 10.5-16.6) years. Three cages required re-revision because of infection (1) and aseptic loosening (2). Average Harris hip score improved from 31.9 to 77.0 points (P < .001). A severe resorption of the bone graft occurred in 2 hips. The stability of the cage was detected in 13 cases. The cumulative survival rate at 16.6 years with acetabular revision for any reason, radiographic loosening, or unhealing of the discontinuity as the end point was 72.2%. The use of Burch-Schneider cage and bulk allografts is an effective technique for the treatment of pelvic discontinuity.

Long-term results of anti-protrusion cage and massive allografts for the management of periprosthetic acetabular bone loss

From 1992 to 1995, 71 total hip arthroplasties with extensive acetabular bone loss underwent revision using bulk allografts and Burch-Schneider anti-protrusion cages. Twelve patients died of unrelated causes and 3 were lost to follow-up. Fifty-six hips were available for clinical and radiographic follow-up examination at an average of 11.7 years after surgery. The average final Harris hip score was 75. X-ray signs of incorporation of massive bone graft were observed in 49 hips. Two cases developed deep infection that required resection arthroplasty. Aseptic loosening of the acetabular cage occurred in 5 patients, and 2 of them underwent re-revision. With a total survival rate of 87.5%, anti-protrusion cages and structural allografts compare favorably with other techniques in the long-term reconstructive treatment of extensive loss of acetabular bone stock.

Metatarsal lengthening by callotasis during the growth phase

Congenital or acquired shortness of a metatarsal may cause pain in adjacent metatarsals. From 1983 to 1990, we performed nine metatarsal lengthenings in seven adolescent patients by metaphyseal osteotomy followed by gradual distraction of callus (callotasis). Two patients required bone grafts after the lengthening. We used a rigid, unilateral external fixator designed for use in the hand and foot. At follow-up, from three to ten years later, healing had been achieved in all with an average healing index of 50 days/cm, and metatarsalgia had been relieved by the restoration of correct metatarsal length.

Clinical and radiologic outcomes of total knee arthroplasty using the Advance Medial Pivot prosthesis. A mean 7 years follow-up

BACKGROUND

Medial Pivot total knee prosthesis has been designed according to studies on normal knee kinematics aiming to replicate physiological knee movement. The purpose of this study was to evaluate clinical and radiologic results of the Advance Medial Pivot Total Knee Arthroplasty, at a mean follow-up of seven years.

METHODS

One hundred seventy two Medial Pivot total knee arthroplasties in 160 consecutive patients have been evaluated using the American Knee Society Score and the Knee Society Total Knee Arthroplasty Roentgenographic Evaluation and Scoring System. Statistical analysis was performed using the Student's t-test and the Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank (Mann-Whitney) test in order to evaluate the significance of differences within the groups of patients. Patients compliance was 93.75% thus only six patients (3.75%) lost to follow-up and four patients (2.5%) died for reasons unrelated to the surgery.

RESULTS

The mean Knee Society score and range of motion was improved from 77.6 points and 97.7° to 152.8 points and 112.5° respectively (p<.001). In total 85.8% and 82.4% of the knees had an excellent (≥ 80) or good (70-79) functional and knee scores respectively. Relief of pain was satisfactory in 88.9% of the patients, while 96% of the patients return to age-related daily life activities. Stability and comfort during walking was subjectively judged by the patients as satisfactory in about 90%. Anterior knee pain was observed in eight patients (5.4%). The Kaplan-Meier survivorship analysis showed a cumulative success rate of 98.6%.

CONCLUSIONS

The results are encouraging but longer follow-up of this cohort is necessary in the study of this specific design. Level of evidence IV.

Release of gentamicin and vancomycin from preformed spacers in infected total hip arthroplasties: measurement of concentrations and inhibitory activity in patients' drainage fluids and serum

Gentamicin (G) and vancomycin (V) concentrations in drainage fluids obtained from patients during the first 24 hours after implantation of antibiotic-loaded polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) spacers in two-stage revision of infected total hip arthroplasty were studied. The inhibitory activity of drainage fluids against different multiresistant clinical isolates was investigated as well. Seven hips were treated by implantation of industrial G-loaded spacers. Vancomycin was added by manually mixing with PMMA bone cement. Serum and drainage fluid samples were collected 1, 4, and 24 hours after spacer implantation. Antibiotics concentrations and drains bactericidal titer of combination were determined against multiresistant staphylococcal strains. The release of G and V from PMMA cement at the site of infection was prompt and effective. Serum levels were below the limit of detection. The local release kinetics of G and V from PMMA cement was similar, exerting a pronounced, combined inhibitory effect in the implant site. The inhibitory activity of drainage fluids showed substantial intersubject variability related to antibiotic concentrations and differed according to the pathogens tested. Gentamicin and vancomycin were released from temporary hip spacers at bactericidal concentrations, and their use in combination exerted strong inhibition against methicillin-resistant S. aureus and Coagulase Negative Staphylococci strains.

Acetabular reconstruction with the Burch-Schneider antiprotrusio cage and bulk allografts: minimum 10-year follow-up results

Reconstruction of severe pelvic bone loss is a challenging problem in hip revision surgery. Between January 1992 and December 2000, 97 hips with periprosthetic osteolysis underwent acetabular revision using bulk allografts and the Burch-Schneider antiprotrusio cage (APC). Twenty-nine patients (32 implants) died for unrelated causes without additional surgery. Sixty-five hips were available for clinical and radiographic assessment at an average follow-up of 14.6 years (range, 10.0 to 18.9 years). There were 16 male and 49 female patients, aged from 29 to 83 (median, 60 years), with Paprosky IIIA (27 cases) and IIIB (38 cases) acetabular bone defects. Nine cages required rerevision because of infection (3), aseptic loosening (5), and flange breakage (1). The average Harris hip score improved from 33.1 points preoperatively to 75.6 points at follow-up (P < 0.001). Radiographically, graft incorporation and cage stability were detected in 48 and 52 hips, respectively. The cumulative survival rates at 18.9 years with removal for any reason or X-ray migration of the cage and aseptic or radiographic loosening as the end points were 80.0% and 84.6%, respectively. The use of the Burch-Schneider APC and massive allografts is an effective technique for the reconstructive treatment of extensive acetabular bone loss with long-lasting survival.

Incidence of heterotopic ossification after surface and conventional total hip arthroplasty: a comparative study using anterolateral approach and indomethacin prophylaxis

The incidence and severity of heterotopic ossification (HO) in two homogeneous groups of patients that received surface replacement arthroplasty (SRA) and conventional total hip arthroplasty (THA) were evaluated retrospectively. Thirty-nine patients undergoing 42 hip resurfacing procedures and 41 primary cementless THAs through an anterolateral approach received a 10-day course of 150 mg/die of indomethacin postoperatively. The median surgical time was 190 minutes and 156 minutes, respectively (P < 0.003). At a minimum 1-year followup, the development of HO was assessed on standard X-ray using Brooker grading. Ectopic bone formation was detected in five cases (11.9%, two Brooker grade I and three grade II) in the SRA group and in 14 hips (34.1%, 12 grade I and two grade II) treated with conventional THA, but the difference was not significant (P < 0.11). No clinically relevant periprosthetic ossification (Brooker III or IV) occurred in both groups. Although the difference was not statistically significant, the incidence of HO after SRA was lower than conventional THA. More extensive soft tissue trauma, bone debris, and longer operative time in hip resurfacing are not likely to be absolute risk factors for HO. Further investigations including larger patient populations are needed to confirm these findings.

A preformed temporary antibiotic-loaded cement spacer for the treatment of destructive septic hip arthritis: a case report

Preformed spacers have proved to be effective in the two-stage revision of infected total hip replacements. In the treatment of septic arthritis of the hip, the use of a temporary device has occasionally been described, but the implantation of a preformed antibiotic-loaded spacer has not yet been reported. A 71-year-old man with a destructive Staphylococcus aureus septic arthritis of the hip joint was admitted to hospital. Given the persistence of local infection regardless of all antibiotics and the worsening of joint damage, an aggressive surgical treatment including early placement of a preformed temporary spacer loaded with antibiotics was performed. Two months later an uncemented total hip replacement was successfully implanted. Two years after surgery the patient had a complete functional recovery with no signs of recurrence. The advantages of a preformed device include an effective and predictable local release of antibiotics and a mechanically tested resistance that allows early partial weight bearing and immediate joint mobilization.

Stem modularity alone is not effective in reducing dislocation rate in hip revision surgery

BACKGROUND

Dislocation is a serious complication following total hip arthroplasty (THA). Femoral revision using monoblock components has been associated with high incidence of subsidence and dislocation. Advantages of modular stems in THA have long been debated. The aim of this retrospective study is to assess the capability of an uncemented modular stem in decreasing the incidence of early dislocation subsequent to revision THA.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We evaluated the dislocation rate during the first 2 years following revision surgery in two groups of patients who were treated by implantation of a cementless tapered femoral prosthesis; a standard-modularity stem (Wagner SL) and an increased-modularity stem (Profemur R) were used, respectively, in 66 hips (group I, 64 patients) and 102 hips (group II, 97 patients). Group I consisted of 47 females and 17 males with average age of 66 years (range 29-84 years). Group II included 60 females and 37 males with average age of 70 years (range 48-89 years).

RESULTS

Dislocation occurred in six hips (9.1%) of group I and in seven hips (6.8%) of group II (P = 0.401). Dislocations were observed early in both groups, except one hip in group II that dislocated 434 days postoperatively and required surgical reduction. All other dislocations were treated by closed reduction. No recurrence was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of an increased-modularity revision stem alone did not prove to be effective in reducing the risk of postoperative dislocation.

Six-year follow-up of a preformed spacer for the management of chronically infected total hip arthroplasty

Antibiotic-loaded cement spacers are currently used in two-stage revision of septic total hip arthroplasty as temporary devices. Prolonged spacer implantation in infected shoulder has been described occasionally in poor candidates for reconstruction surgery (medically compromised and/or low-physical demand patients, deficient bone stock). Few papers previously reported the use of spacers in infected hip prosthesis as a permanent solution, but limited information is available on the medium-term behaviour. We detail medium-term clinical and radiographic follow-up of a preformed spacer in the management of a chronically infected hip arthroplasty in a 50-year-old female patient who did not undergo a second-stage surgery. Normalization of inflammatory markers was detected 3 weeks after surgery and persisted over time. Six years after surgery, the patient recovered a good range of motion and was able to walk pain free with assisted weightbearing. Remarkable radiological changes of the bone stock around the spacer stem have been assessed. New bone formation developed rapidly in the femur, leading to the consolidation of transfemoral osteotomy 6 months postoperatively. Two years after implantation, spontaneous and asymptomatic fatigue fracture in the mid-part of the stem occurred. Radiographs at 6 years showed a sufficient preservation of bone stock, though a slowly progressive resorption of the cortical femur around the stem was evident in the last year. In conclusion, prolonged spacer implantation seems to be not appropriate in septic hip arthroplasty as a permanent solution. In patients not undergoing a second-stage surgery, a careful and periodic monitoring is required to rule out possible and severe complications.

Preoperative autologous blood donation by elderly patients undergoing orthopaedic surgery

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

To assess the feasibility of a programme of predeposit in elderly patients undergoing elective orthopaedic surgery.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively studied 789 elderly patient candidates (> 65 years of age) for orthopaedic surgery (total hip and knee replacement and spinal surgery), who were undergoing a programme of preoperative autologous blood donation (PABD) in our city hospital between January 1990 and December 1998.

RESULTS

Six hundred and eighty-eight patients (87.2%) were transfused with autologous blood; 128 (16.2%) also received allogeneic blood. Hip arthroplasty revision was characterized by the greatest blood consumption. The predeposit programme was discontinued in 96 patients (12.2%) because of the following complications: the onset of anaemia (11.0%); vasovagal reactions (0.5%); lack of venous access (0.4%); or cardiac complications (0.2%). No episodes of reaction to autologous transfusion were recorded.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study confirms the feasibility of PABD in elderly patients undergoing elective orthopaedic surgery.

Dynamic orthopaedic brace in the treatment of ankle sprains

Ankle sprains may lead to disabling sequelae such as joint instability and persistent pain. Immobilization with plaster cast may give rise to joint stiffness and muscle atrophy. Twenty patients with acute inversion sprains of the ankle were treated with a "dynamic" orthopaedic brace after a 10-day plaster immobilization. A control group, consisting of 10 subjects, received a weight-bearing short-leg plaster cast for 25 days. A clinical evaluation and an instrumental isokinetic investigation (Cybex) were performed as scheduled. The clinical findings suggest an earlier and more comprehensive functional recovery in the group receiving the "dynamic" brace compared to the casted group. The isokinetic test revealed a statistically significantly better performance for most parameters in the brace group especially regarding the ankle joint invertors.

Combined radiofrequency and kyphoplasty in painful osteolytic metastases to vertebral bodies

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to assess retrospectively the safety and efficacy of combined radiofrequency (RF) and kyphoplasty (KP) in managing painful osteolytic metastases to vertebral bodies resistant to conservative treatments.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eleven patients (9 women and 2 men; mean age 68 years; age range 58-82) with painful osteolytic vertebral body metastases unresponsive to conservative treatments underwent RF combined with KP under general anaesthesia. Primary neoplasms were kidney carcinoma (n=1), breast carcinoma (n=1), thyroid carcinoma (n=2) and multiple myeloma (n=7). Lesion levels were cervical (n=1), thoracic (n=9) and lumbar (n=1). Combined RF and KP was well-tolerated by all patients. The procedures were performed using fluoroscopic guidance and intraoperative neurophysiology monitoring. Pain relief with the visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score and analgesic consumption were evaluated before and after treatment.

RESULTS

No complication occurred. In one case, we observed an asymptomatic cement leakage. Pain significantly decreased after treatment: the mean VAS pain score before treatment was 8 (range 7-10) vs. 1.8 (range 0-3) and 1.9 (range 1-3), respectively, 72 h and 6 weeks after the treatment. Analgesic reduction was achieved in all patients.

CONCLUSIONS

RF combined with KP represents a potential alternative method for palliation of painful spinal osteolytic metastases in selected patients. The procedures are safe and provide pain relief with bone augmentation and improvement in quality of life.

Association between CT imaging at follow-up and clinical outcomes in heel fractures

The reliability of CT data for calcaneal fractures was evaluated, quantifying five CT parameters and investigating their association with clinical outcomes. Fifty-four intra-articular calcaneal fractures surgically treated were considered. Vertical and longitudinal alignment, calcaneal body height, position of sustentaculum tali and subtalar joint congruity were evaluated at 49 months (27-94) follow-up. Each parameter was then quantified and its association with the clinical outcome assessed by the Maryland Foot Score was evaluated. Better clinical outcomes showed a significant association with vertical/longitudinal realignment and with restoration of the calcaneal height. No significant association emerged with reconstruction of the thalamic joint facet congruity. Three-dimensional reconstruction of the calcaneus, in terms of vertical and longitudinal alignment, restoration of the height of the heel body even irrespective of a perfect joint congruity, seems today to be the main goal of the treatment.

Evaluation of cardiac involvement following major orthopedic surgery

BACKGROUND

Cardiovascular morbidity is frequent after non-cardiac surgery and the early recognition of cardiac involvement is an essential tool for clinical risk stratification and management. The aim of this study was to investigate the behavior of traditional and emerging cardiac markers, including NT-prohormone-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and ischemia-modified albumin (IMA), in the perioperative period in patients undergoing major uncomplicated orthopedic surgery.

METHODS

A total of 37 patients undergoing major orthopedic surgery were longitudinally evaluated for NT-proBNP, IMA, cardiac troponin T (cTnT), creatine kinase isoenzyme MB and myoglobin 3 h before surgery and 4 and 72 h thereafter.

RESULTS

NT-proBNP values were significantly increased at 72 h postoperative compared to both 3 h preoperative and 4 h postoperative (NT-proBNP: 20 vs. 4.5 pmol/L, p<0.001 and 20 vs. 5.9 pmol/L, p<0.001). IMA levels were significantly increased at 4 and 72 h postoperative vs. 3 h preoperative (132 vs. 113 kU/L, p=0.02 and 151 vs. 113 kU/L, p<0.001). In a stepwise regression model, the perioperative liquid amount and degree of modification in postoperative creatinine levels (delta-creatinine) were independently related to the NT-proBNP increase.

CONCLUSIONS

The significant increase observed in NT-proBNP suggests that patients undergoing major uncomplicated orthopedic surgery may develop subclinical cardiac stress, presumably attributable to the considerable infusion of liquids. The clinical significance of this finding deserves further investigation, especially in patients at higher risk of heart failure.

Delayed diagnosis of low-symptomatic ceramic acetabular liner fracture in ceramic-on-ceramic total hip arthroplasty

Alumina ceramics in total hip arthroplasty (THA) have been used in Europe since 1970. Over the years, ceramic-on-ceramic coupling became a valid option in THA because of excellent biocompatibility and tribological properties. The major disadvantages are possible squeaking and risk of breakage, usually disclosed by pain and functional impairment. Squeaking is an audible noise arising from ceramic-on-ceramic bearings, the incidence of which is reported to range from 1% to 7% of THAs. Component positioning, stripe wear, and edge loading have all been implicated. Clicking sounds and scratching have also been anecdotally described. Breakage of a ceramic component due to brittleness of the material is a rare complication. Trauma, high activity level, and obesity may increase the risk of fracture. Defective ceramic manufacture, inadequate implant design, and errors in surgical technique may contribute to breakage. Asian population lifestyle, including squatting, kneeling, and sitting cross-legged, has been correlated to liner rim impingement and fracture. Additional reports concerning failure of various ceramic liners have recently been described.

Bilateral luxatio erecta humeri associated with a unilateral brachial plexus and bilateral rotator cuff injuries: a case report

Luxatio erecta humeri is an uncommon condition, and only 16 previous bilateral cases have been reported. We present a case of bilateral luxatio erecta humeri associated with unilateral brachial plexus injury and concomitant bilateral rotator cuff tear treated nonoperatively. Seven months after trauma the patient had a good recovery and was able to perform routine daily activities.

Treatment of type-A3 amyelic thoracolumbar fractures (burst fractures) with kyphoplasty: initial experience

The authors propose a minimally invasive procedure for treating type-A3 amyelic thoracolumbar fractures according to Magerl classification (compression burst fractures). The procedure, percutaneous kyphoplasty, allows the fracture to be reduced and vertebral height to be restored by injecting bone cement into a cavity created in the vertebral body by an inflatable balloon introduced with the percutaneous approach. Four patients were successfully treated, with clinical and functional benefit in all cases. There were no complications.