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Müller SLC, Kuehl R, Schaefer DJ, Morgenstern M, Clauss M, Osinga R. The myocutaneous gastrocnemius flap for periprosthetic joint infection of the knee. J Exp Orthop 2024; 11:e12089. [PMID: 38974052 PMCID: PMC11227597 DOI: 10.1002/jeo2.12089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) presents significant challenges, especially in elderly and comorbid patients, often necessitating revision surgeries. We report on a series of patients with confirmed PJI of the knee and concomitant soft-tissue/extensor apparatus defects, treated by using pedicled myocutaneous medial or lateral sural artery perforator (MSAP/LSAP) gastrocnemius flaps. Methods Our retrospective study at the Center for Musculoskeletal Infections, included patients with knee PJI undergoing pedicled myocutaneous MSAP/LSAP gastrocnemius flap reconstruction for combined soft tissue and extensor apparatus defects. The tendinous back of the gastrocnemius muscle was used and, if required, the Achilles tendon for extensor apparatus reconstruction, with the skin island addressing the cutaneous defect. Perioperative complications and postoperative outcomes after 1 year were evaluated, including functional and clinical assessments with the American Knee Society Score (AKSS). Results Eight patients (mean age 73 years; five female) were included, predominantly with Staphylococcus aureus infections. Six patients involved isolated MSAP flaps, two were extended with the Achilles tendon. The median time for wound healing was 9 days. Short-term follow-up showed successful reconstruction in seven patients, with minor wound dehiscence in one patient. One patient required flap revision for a perigenicular haemato-seroma and two patients were diagnosed with new haematogenous PJI infection. Significant improvement in AKSS scores after surgery was observed (functional AKSS: median 33-85; clinical AKSS: median 64-91, p = 0.001). Conclusion Pedicled myocutaneous MSAP/LSAP gastrocnemius flaps offer a safe, reliable and versatile option for reconstructing combined soft tissue and extensor apparatus defects in PJI after TKA. This approach yields excellent functional outcomes with minimal peri- and postoperative complications, which is particularly beneficial in elderly and comorbid patients and feasible in settings without microsurgical availability. Level of evidence Level IV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seraina L. C. Müller
- Department of PlasticReconstructive, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, University Hospital BaselBaselSwitzerland
| | - Richard Kuehl
- Center for Musculoskeletal Infections (ZMSI)University Hospital BaselBaselSwitzerland
- Infectious Diseases and Hospital EpidemiologyUniversity Hospital BaselBaselSwitzerland
| | - Dirk J. Schaefer
- Department of PlasticReconstructive, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, University Hospital BaselBaselSwitzerland
- Center for Musculoskeletal Infections (ZMSI)University Hospital BaselBaselSwitzerland
| | - Mario Morgenstern
- Center for Musculoskeletal Infections (ZMSI)University Hospital BaselBaselSwitzerland
- Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma SurgeryUniversity Hospital BaselBaselSwitzerland
| | - Martin Clauss
- Center for Musculoskeletal Infections (ZMSI)University Hospital BaselBaselSwitzerland
- Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma SurgeryUniversity Hospital BaselBaselSwitzerland
| | - Rik Osinga
- Department of PlasticReconstructive, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, University Hospital BaselBaselSwitzerland
- Center for Musculoskeletal Infections (ZMSI)University Hospital BaselBaselSwitzerland
- Canniesburn Plastic Surgery UnitGlasgow Royal InfirmaryGlasgowUK
- Praxis beim Merian IselinBaselSwitzerland
- REHAB Basel, Clinic for Neurorehabilitation and ParaplegiologyBaselSwitzerland
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Cepas A, Tammela I, Nieminen J, Laitinen M, Karppelin M, Kaartinen I, Kiiski J. Surgical and patient-reported outcomes after total knee arthroplasty requiring soft-tissue flap reconstruction - 12-year experience from high volume arthroplasty hospital. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg 2022; 75:3732-3742. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bjps.2022.06.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2021] [Revised: 03/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/05/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Müller SLC, Morgenstern M, Kuehl R, Muri T, Kalbermatten DF, Clauss M, Schaefer DJ, Sendi P, Osinga R. Soft-tissue reconstruction in lower-leg fracture-related infections: An orthoplastic outcome and risk factor analysis. Injury 2021; 52:3489-3497. [PMID: 34304885 DOI: 10.1016/j.injury.2021.07.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2021] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Introduction Fracture-related infection (FRI) is a severe post-traumatic complication which is occasionally accompanied by a deficient or even avital soft-tissue envelope. In these cases, a thoroughly planned orthoplastic approach is imperative as a vital and intact soft-tissue envelope is mandatory to achieve fracture union and infection eradication. The aim of this study was, to analyse if soft-tissue reconstruction (STR) without complications is associated with a better long-term outcome compared to FRI patients with STR complications. In particular, it was investigated if primary flap failure represented a risk factor for compromised fracture union and recurrence of infection. Patients and Methods Patients with a lower leg FRI requiring STR (local, pedicled and free flaps) who were treated from 2010-18 at the University Hospital Basel were included in this retrospective analysis. The main outcome measure was the success rate of STR, further outcome measures were fracture nonunion and recurrence of infection. Results Overall, 145 patients with lower leg FRI were identified, of whom 58 (40%) received STR (muscle flaps: n = 38, fascio-cutaneous flaps: n=19; composite osteo-cutaneous flap: n = 1). In total seven patients required secondary STR due to primary flap failure. All failures and flap-related complications occurred within the first three weeks after surgery. Secondary STR was successful in all cases. A high Charlson Comorbidity Index Score was a significant risk factor for flap failure (p = 0.011). Out of the 43 patients who completed the 9-month follow-up, 11 patients presented with fracture nonunion and 12 patients with a recurrent infection. Polymicrobial infection was a significant risk factor for fracture nonunion (p = 0.002). Primary flap failure was neither a risk factor for compromised fracture consolidation (p = 0.590) nor for recurrence of infection (p = 0.508). Conclusion: A considerable number of patients with lower-leg FRI required STR. This patient subgroup is complex and rich in complications and the long-term composite outcome demonstrated a high rate of compromised fracture consolidation and recurrent infections. It appears that secondary STR should be performed, as primary flap failure was neither a risk factor for compromised fracture consolidation nor for recurrence of infection. We propose to monitor these patients closely for three weeks after STR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seraina L C Müller
- Center for Musculoskeletal Infections, University Hospital Basel, Spitalstrasse 21, Basel CH-4031 Switzerland; Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, University Hospital Basel, Switzerland
| | - Mario Morgenstern
- Center for Musculoskeletal Infections, University Hospital Basel, Spitalstrasse 21, Basel CH-4031 Switzerland; Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, University Hospital Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Richard Kuehl
- Center for Musculoskeletal Infections, University Hospital Basel, Spitalstrasse 21, Basel CH-4031 Switzerland; Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Basel, Switzerland
| | - Thaddaeus Muri
- Center for Musculoskeletal Infections, University Hospital Basel, Spitalstrasse 21, Basel CH-4031 Switzerland; Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, University Hospital Basel, Switzerland
| | - Daniel F Kalbermatten
- Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, University Hospital Basel, Switzerland
| | - Martin Clauss
- Center for Musculoskeletal Infections, University Hospital Basel, Spitalstrasse 21, Basel CH-4031 Switzerland; Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, University Hospital Basel, Switzerland
| | - Dirk J Schaefer
- Center for Musculoskeletal Infections, University Hospital Basel, Spitalstrasse 21, Basel CH-4031 Switzerland; Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, University Hospital Basel, Switzerland
| | - Parham Sendi
- Center for Musculoskeletal Infections, University Hospital Basel, Spitalstrasse 21, Basel CH-4031 Switzerland; Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, University Hospital Basel, Switzerland; Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Basel, Switzerland; Institute for Infectious Diseases, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Rik Osinga
- Center for Musculoskeletal Infections, University Hospital Basel, Spitalstrasse 21, Basel CH-4031 Switzerland; Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, University Hospital Basel, Switzerland
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Osinga R, Eggimann MM, Lo SJ, Kühl R, Lunger A, Ochsner PE, Sendi P, Clauss M, Schaefer DJ. Orthoplastics in Periprosthetic Joint Infection of the Knee: Treatment Concept for Composite Soft-tissue Defect with Extensor Apparatus Deficiency. J Bone Jt Infect 2020; 5:160-171. [PMID: 32566456 PMCID: PMC7295645 DOI: 10.7150/jbji.47018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Reconstruction of composite soft-tissue defects with extensor apparatus deficiency in patients with periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) of the knee is challenging. We present a single-centre multidisciplinary orthoplastic treatment concept based on a retrospective outcome analysis over 20 years. Methods and Results: One-hundred sixty patients had PJI after total knee arthroplasty. Plastic surgical reconstruction of a concomitant perigenicular soft-tissue defect was indicated in 47 patients. Of these, six presented with extensor apparatus deficiency. One patient underwent primary arthrodesis and five patients underwent reconstruction of the extensor apparatus. The principle to reconstruct missing tissue 'like with like' was thereby favoured: Two patients with a wide soft-tissue defect received a free anterolateral thigh flap with fascia lata; one patient with a smaller soft-tissue defect received a free sensate, extended lateral arm flap with triceps tendon; and two patients who did not qualify for free flap surgery received a pedicled medial sural artery perforator gastrocnemius flap. Despite good functional results 1 year later, long-term follow-up revealed that two patients had to undergo arthrodesis because of recurrent infection and one patient was lost to follow-up. Conclusion: These results show that PJI of the knee and extensor apparatus deficiency is a dreaded combination with a poor long-term outcome. Standardization of surgical techniques for a defined PJI problem and consensus on study variables may facilitate interinstitutional comparisons of outcome data, and hence, improvement of treatment concepts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rik Osinga
- Centre for Musculoskeletal Infections, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Canniesburn Plastic Surgery Unit, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, 84 Castle Street, Glasgow, G4 0SF, United Kingdom
| | | | - Steven John Lo
- Canniesburn Plastic Surgery Unit, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, 84 Castle Street, Glasgow, G4 0SF, United Kingdom.,Translational Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Richard Kühl
- Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Alexander Lunger
- Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Peter Emil Ochsner
- Clinic for Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery and Interdisciplinary Septic Surgical Unit, Kantonsspital Baselland, Liestal, Switzerland
| | - Parham Sendi
- Centre for Musculoskeletal Infections, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Institute for Infectious Diseases, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Martin Clauss
- Centre for Musculoskeletal Infections, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Clinic for Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery and Interdisciplinary Septic Surgical Unit, Kantonsspital Baselland, Liestal, Switzerland.,Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Dirk Johannes Schaefer
- Centre for Musculoskeletal Infections, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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Soft-Tissue Reconstruction of the Complicated Knee Arthroplasty: Principles and Predictors of Salvage. Plast Reconstr Surg 2018; 141:1040-1048. [PMID: 29596192 DOI: 10.1097/prs.0000000000004255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Total knee arthroplasty is a common orthopedic procedure in the United States and complications can be devastating. Soft-tissue compromise or joint infection may cause failure of prosthesis requiring knee fusion or amputation. The role of a plastic surgeon in total knee arthroplasty is critical for cases requiring optimization of the soft-tissue envelope. The purpose of this study was to elucidate factors associated with total knee arthroplasty salvage following complications and clarify principles of reconstruction to optimize outcomes. METHODS A retrospective review of patients requiring soft-tissue reconstruction performed by the senior author after total knee arthroplasty over 8 years was completed. Logistic regression and Fisher's exact tests determined factors associated with the primary outcome, prosthesis salvage versus knee fusion or amputation. RESULTS Seventy-three knees in 71 patients required soft-tissue reconstruction (mean follow-up, 1.8 years), with a salvage rate of 61.1 percent, mostly using medial gastrocnemius flaps. Patients referred to our institution with complicated periprosthetic wounds were significantly more likely to lose their knee prosthesis than patients treated only within our system. Patients with multiple prior knee operations before definitive soft-tissue reconstruction had significantly decreased rates of prosthesis salvage and an increased risk of amputation. Knee salvage significantly decreased with positive joint cultures (Gram-negative greater than Gram-positive organisms) and particularly at the time of definitive reconstruction, which also trended toward an increased risk of amputation. CONCLUSIONS In revision total knee arthroplasty, prompt soft-tissue reconstruction improves the likelihood of success, and protracted surgical courses and contamination increase failure and amputations. The authors show a benefit to involving plastic surgeons early in the course of total knee arthroplasty complications to optimize genicular soft tissues. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic, III.
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