Two-stage Revision Research Articles

A Comparison of Outcomes of Culture positive and Culture negative Acute Knee Prosthetic Joint Infection following Debridement, Antibiotics and Implant Retention (DAIR).

We aim to compare the outcome of culture-positive (CP PJI) and culture-negative (CN PJI) acute knee prosthetic joint infection (PJI) following debridement, antibiotics and implant retention (DAIR) with polyethylene insert exchange. We also aim to analyze the factors associated with the successful outcome of DAIR and the influence of failed DAIR on the outcome of subsequent two-stage revision arthroplasty. We performed a retrospective review of 36 consecutive patients who underwent DAIR for acute PJI between January 2013 and January 2018. The patient's demographic data, McPherson grade, surgical details, laboratory and microbiology data were retrieved from the medical records. All the patients have been followed up for a minimum of 3years or until re-operation, revision or death and any complications, incidence of DAIR failure, revision and mortality were noted. The mean follow-up was 4.9 ± 2.4years. Among the 36 patients, 16 had CP PJI and 20 had CN PJI. Among the 16 patients with CP PJI, 8 patients had success with DAIR and 8 patients had a recurrence of infection (50%) at a mean of 21months (range, 2weeks to 55months). Among the 20 patients with CN PJI, 14 patients had success with DAIR and 6 patients had a recurrence of infection [30% (6/20)] at a mean of 69months (range, 13-221months) (p < .05). The Kaplan-Meir survival analysis showed survivorship did not vary significantly between both groups (p > .05). Univariate regression analysis showed symptom duration of more than one month found to be significantly associated with the DAIR failure. There was no difference in failure rate after DAIR between age, Charlson comorbidity index, early postoperative versus acute hematogenous group and type of organism grown. Ten out of 14 DAIR failures were successfully managed with two-stage revision surgery with no recurrence of infection till the final follow-up. In the remaining 4 patients, one underwent re-debridement, two underwent arthrodesis and one was left with an antibiotic cement spacer. DAIR with polyethylene exchange will give comparable results irrespective of the culture positivity. Symptom duration of more than 30days for DAIR is significantly associated with DAIR failure. DAIR failures can be successfully managed with two-stage revision.

Palliative arthroscopic debridement with continuous irrigation forinfected total knee arthroplastyin high mortality riskpatients.

This study aimed to evaluate the infection control rate of palliative arthroscopic debridement, antibiotics, and implant retention (DAIR) for the high mortality risk or terminal cancer stage patients. From March 2018 to August 2021, 21 patients met the following inclusion criteria: old age of more than 80, diagnosed as a terminal stage of cancer, high risk of mortality and morbidity representing as Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) ≥ 5, low daily activity with disabled extremity, and re-infection after two-stage revision. Each patient underwent arthroscopic DAIR and additional continuous irrigation for 48hours. The need for subsequent re-arthroscopic DAIR or two-stage revision was determined by the post-operative trends of C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. Infection control was defined as continuing controlled status of infection based on clinical and laboratory results by one or two times of arthroscopic DAIR within initial two months. Treatment failure was defined as more than three times arthroscopic debridement, two-stage revision surgery, or expired due to uncontrolled infection. Arthroscopic DAIR controlled the infection in 19 (90.5%) of the 21 cases. The other knee underwent a total of three times of re-arthroscopic DAIR and the other one underwent two-stage revision. Although five patients expired during the follow-up period due to worsening medical problems or terminal cancer, there were no deaths from uncontrolled infection, sepsis, or surgery-related complications. Arthroscopic debridement with continuous irrigation for the infection TKA with high mortality risk or terminal cancer patients showed a 90.5% infection control rate. For high-risk patients, arthroscopic debridement with continuous irrigation can be an alternative treatment to improve the quality of life during survival.

Low dose vancomycin-loaded spacers for two-stage revision knee arthroplasty: High success, low toxicity

BackgroundTwo-stage revision arthroplasty is a widely used treatment method for infected knee arthroplasty. Loading high doses of antibiotics to spacer during the first stage is standard practice. However, there are reported systemic side effects attributed to antibiotic-loaded spacers. The aim of our study is to investigate the success rate and systemic toxicity following the first stage revision knee arthroplasty with low-dose vancomycin-loaded spacers. MethodWe included patients with infected knee arthroplasty eligible for two-stage revision arthroplasty from 2001 to 2020. One gram of vancomycin is added per pack of bone cement. Spacers were handmade in the operating theatre. Following the first stage, pre-operative and postoperative culture results, infection parameters, kidney and liver function tests, and functional scores were analyzed. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was done to determine the success rate. ResultsFifty patients with a mean follow-up of 48 months (24–108) were included in the study. A five-year survival analysis showed an 88.5% success rate. Fourteen percent of the patients had acute kidney injury with creatinine levels between 1.12–2.80 mg/dl, and 8% had a mild drug-induced liver injury with elevated serum ALT levels between 223–540 U/L and total bilirubin levels between 0.59–1.23 mg/dl. None of the patients required dialysis. All of the systemic side effects were reversible. ConclusionOur results have suggested that low dose antibiotic-loaded spacers are comparable to the studies with high dose antibiotic loaded spacers regarding infection eradication and survival rates. They are less likely to cause severe systemic side effects. Therefore we suggest low dose antibiotic-loaded spacers should be considered when treating patients with vancomycin sensitive Staphylococcal species and culture negative infected knee arthroplasty.

Is hip resection arthroplasty a successful definitive treatment?

PurposeHip resection arthroplasty as a definitive treatment is an uncommon indication, although still in use selectively. This study evaluates a cohort of patients who have undergone hip resection arthroplasty surgery indicated as a definitive treatment, in order to assess the rate of re-operation, the rate of infection, and the mortality rates. MethodsWe conducted a retrospective, observational, descriptive analysis of a cohort of patients who had undergone a hip resection arthroplasty intended as a definitive treatment, in two University Hospitals from 1994 to 2020. The exclusion criteria were the implantation of a hip cement spacer, or a temporary hip resection arthroplasty in patients undergoing a two-staged surgical approach. We found 26 cases of hip resection arthroplasty. We recorded the indications for a definitive hip resection arthroplasty, the outcomes and complications, and analyzed the success of the hip resection arthroplasty as a definitive surgery using a Kaplan-Meier curve. ResultsSeven cases (26.9%) required a re-operation after the hip resection arthroplasty, four cases for persistent hip infection, and in the three remaining a conversion to a total hip arthroplasty was re-considered due to a good medical evolution and non-tolerance to the low functional outcome. The mortality rate was 61.5% (27 days–20 years), with a 19.2% mortality rate in the first 5 years. All the cases that required another surgery after the hip resection arthroplasty were re-operated within the first 18 months. ConclusionUnfortunately, hip resection arthroplasty continues to show elevated re-operation rate and early mortality rate, as well as low functional outcomes. Two-staged hip revision arthroplasty is the surgical treatment of choice in patients suffering from a periprosthetic joint infection, however we believe that hip resection arthroplasty should be considered in fragile patients, who have endured multiple revision surgeries, or their comorbidities make them unfit from further surgeries.

Higher reinfection rate after two-stage revision arthroplasty in patients with refractory diabetes mellitus: a retrospective analysis with a minimum ten-year follow up

BackgroundTreatment protocols for two-stage revision arthroplasty with diabetes mellitus (DM) have not yet been established. The control of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in two-stage revision arthroplasty is still debated. This study aimed to clarify the importance of preoperative HbA1c levels before each stage of revision arthroplasty and to analyze the risk factors for reinfection.MethodsFive hundred eighty-eight patients suffered from first-time PJI and was treated in our institute from January 1994 to December 2010 were reviewed. The mean follow-up time was 13.8 (range, 10.2–24.8) years. Patients underwent two-stage revision arthroplasty with DM at presentation were included. The endpoint of the study was reinfection of the revision arthroplasty. Demographic, survivorship, and surgical variables were also analyzed.ResultsEighty-eight patients were identified and grouped by HbA1c level before the first stage surgery: Groups 1 and 2 had HbA1c levels < 7% and ≥ 7%, respectively. Reinfection was identified in 4.55% (2/44) and 18.18% (8/44) of the patients in Groups 1 and 2, respectively. Survivorship analysis revealed correction of the HbA1c before the final stage of revision arthroplasty as an independent factor (p < 0.001). The identified risks for reinfection were HbA1c levels ≥ 7% before final-stage surgery, ≥ 3 stages of revision arthroplasty, and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-Escherichia coli PJI.ConclusionThe HbA1c level before the final stage of revision arthroplasty could affect staged revision arthroplasty outcomes. Therefore, the necessity of postponing the elective final-stage revision arthroplasty procedure for HbA1c control should be further investigated in the future.

Comparison of Patient-Reported Outcomes Measures and Quality-Adjusted Life Years Following One- and Two-Stage Septic Knee Exchange.

(1) Background: Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) can be managed with one- or two-stage revision surgery protocol. Despite several studies analyzing the eradication rates between both procedures, there are no comparative studies that analyze patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) in both treatment strategies. (2) Methods: All patients who underwent a two-stage knee revision between January 2017 to December 2018, due to a periprosthetic joint infection were included in the study. From the time interval, we selected a comparative group with the one-stage septic procedure. All patients received the following questionnaires: Oxford Knee Score, EQ-5D-5L, SSQ-8, and the SF-36. Additionally, demographic patient data were collected. The quality-adjusted life years (QALY) were calculated using the EQ-5D-5L. (3) Results: A total of 35 patients with a mean age of 67.7 years (SD = 8.9) were included in the final evaluation. The mean follow-up period was 54.5 months (SD = 5.5). There was no statistically significant difference regarding the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), postoperative complications, or all evaluated questionnaires. There was no statistically significant difference in QALYs between the one- and two-stage revision. (4) Conclusion: Our study results show that the one-stage revision for PJI achieves similar PROMs compared to two-stage revision.

Two-stage revision for periprosthetic joint infection in cemented total hip arthroplasty: an increased risk for failure?

BackgroundThe impact of the prior fixation mode on the treatment outcome of chronic periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) of the hip is unclear. Removal of cemented total hip arthroplasty (THA) is particularly challenging and residual cement might be associated with reinfection. This study seeks to compare the results of two-stage revision for PJI in cemented and cementless THA.MethodsWe reviewed 143 consecutive patients undergoing two-stage revision THA for PJI between 2013 and 2018. Thirty-six patients with a fully cemented (n = 6), hybrid femur (n = 26) or hybrid acetabulum (n = 4) THA (cemented group) were matched 1:2 with a cohort of 72 patients who underwent removal of a cementless THA (cementless group). Groups were matched by sex, age, number of prior surgeries and history of infection treatment. Outcomes included microbiological results, interim re-debridement, reinfection, all-cause revision, and modified Harris hip scores (mHHS). Minimum follow-up was 2 years.ResultsCompared with PJI in cementless THA, patients undergoing removal of cemented THA had increasingly severe femoral bone loss (p = 0.004). Patients in the cemented group had an increased risk for positive cultures during second-stage reimplantation (22% compared to 8%, p = 0.043), higher rates of reinfection (22% compared to 7%, p = 0.021) and all-cause revision (31% compared to 14%, p = 0.039) compared to patients undergoing two-stage revision of cementless THA. Periprosthetic femoral fractures were more frequent in the group of patients with prior cementation (p = .004). Mean mHHS had been 37.5 in the cemented group and 39.1 in the cementless group, and these scores improved significantly in both groups (p < 0.01).ConclusionThis study shows that chronic infection in cemented THA might be associated with increased bone loss, higher rates of reinfection and all-cause revision following two-stage revision. This should be useful to clinicians counselling patients with hip PJI and can guide treatment and estimated outcomes.

Infection after total joint replacement of the hip and knee: research programme including the INFORM RCT

Infection after total joint replacement of the hip and knee: research programme including the INFORM RCT

Mechanical strength of antibiotic-loaded PMMA spacers in two-stage revision surgery

BackgroundAntibiotic-loaded polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) bone cement spacers provide high local antibiotic concentrations and patient mobility during the interim period of two-stage revision for periprosthetic joint infection (PJI). This study compares mechanical characteristics of six dual antibiotic-loaded bone cement (dALBC) preparations made from three different PMMA bone cements. The study`s main objective was to determine the effect of time and antibiotic concentration on mechanical strength of dALBCs frequently used for spacer fabrication in the setting of two-stage revision for PJI.MethodsA total of 84 dual antibiotic-loaded bone cement specimens made of either Copal spacem, Copal G + V or Palacos R + G were fabricated. Each specimen contained 0.5 g of gentamicin and either 2 g (low concentration) or 4 g (high concentration) of vancomycin powder per 40 g bone cement. The bending strength was determined at two different timepoints, 24 h and six weeks after spacer fabrication, using the four-point bending test.ResultsPreparations made from Copal G + V showed the highest bending strength after incubation for 24 h with a mean of 57.6 ± 1.2 MPa (low concentration) and 50.4 ± 4.4 MPa (high concentration). After incubation for six weeks the bending strength had decreased in all six preparations and Palacos R + G showed the highest bending strength in the high concentration group (39.4 ± 1.6 MPa). All low concentration preparations showed superior mechanical strength compared to their high concentration (4 g of vancomycin) counterpart. This difference was statistically significant for Copal spacem and Copal G + V (both p < 0.001), but not for Palacos R + G (p = 0.09).ConclusionsThis study suggests that mechanical strength of antibiotic-loaded PMMA bone cement critically decreases even over the short time period of six weeks, which is the recommended interim period in the setting of two-stage revision. This potentially results in an increased risk for PMMA spacer fracture at the end of the interim period and especially in patients with prolonged interim periods. Finally, we conclude that intraoperative addition of 4 g of vancomycin powder per 40 g of gentamicin-premixed Palacos R + G (Group D) is mechanically the preparation of choice if a dual antibiotic-loaded bone cement spacer with high antibiotic concentrations and good stability is warranted. In any case the written and signed informed consent including the off-label use of custom-made antibiotic-loaded PMMA bone cement spacers must be obtained before surgery.

A case of treatment of a fungal periprosthetic infection with a carbon-coated implant

Background. Arthroplasty is the most common surgical treatment for patients with end-stage knee arthrosis. From 2 to 7% of those operated on are patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The inflammatory process in the joint, low rehabilitation potential, long-term therapy with hormonal and genetically engineered biological agents, poor bone quality form a high risk of periprosthetic infection. In this group of patients, the saprophytic microorganism Candida albicans more often forms biofilms on endoprosthesis components, which presents difficulties in the treatment of periprosthetic infection.Aims: demonstration of a clinical case and rationale for the treatment of periprosthetic knee infection caused by Candida albicans using a revision implant with an anti-biofilm coating.Materials and methods. A clinical case presents the results of examination and treatment of a 46-year-old patient with secondary gonarthrosis on the background of rheumatoid arthritis with developed periprosthetic infection are evaluated. Surgical treatment was carried out by two-stage sanitation, using as part of the spacer an implant coated with silver-doped two-dimensionally ordered linear-chain carbon, against the background of etiotropic intravenous treatment with fluconazole.Results. The likely cause of the development of a fungal periprosthetic infection is a decrease in the activity of the immune system against the background of taking cytostatics and hormonal drugs in combination with the frequent uncontrolled use of antibacterial drugs. The choice of surgical tactics in favor of a two-stage revision is justified by the isolation of a «difficult to treat» Candida albicans. Timely diagnosis and the chosen method of treatment in combination allowed to no recurrence during the observation period of 12 months after the 2nd stage of revision.Conclusions. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of a spacer coated with silver-doped two-dimensionally ordered linear-chain carbon at the stage of sanitation for the treatment of periprosthetic infection caused by the «difficult to treat» Candida albicans.

Fracture-Related Infection in Bicolumnar Acetabular Fracture: A Case Report

Case: A 51-year-old man was affected by a fracture-related infection after a bicolumnar acetabular fracture. A significant alteration of the anatomy was present; thus, a 3D-printed model was useful for planning. A two-stage treatment was planned: in the first stage, implant removal with irrigation and debridement was performed, while in the second stage, a new osteosynthesis and implant of a THA were planned. During the second stage, the patient suffered a cardiogenic shock, so a third surgical procedure was necessary to implant THA. Targeted antibiotic therapy was administered eight weeks after the first stage, with the resolution of the infection. Conclusions: The infection was resolved following the recent guidelines and treating it like a periprosthetic infection with a two-stage revision. A collaboration between specialists in orthopaedics and infectious disease, respectively, and using multidisciplinary approach, were mandatory.

First Stage Revision of Infected TKR: A Technique of Handcrafted Articulating Spacers and Cement Pancake Soft Tissue Spacers.

This is a study to see if improvised 'articulating antibiotic cement spacers' work in two-stage revisions for infected TKRs with bone defects in the condyles. The second objective is to see if adhesions can be prevented between intra-articular bone and soft tissue around it after the first stage to make exposure of the joint easy and quick in the second stage. Six cases were selected which had moderate defects of femoral or tibial condyles and a modified technique was used to prepare articulating cement spacers. Antibiotic cement moulded like pancakes was placed on the exposed raw areas of the femur and tibia. Patients were mobilised with protected weight-bearing after the surgery and active knee flexion was encouraged. Patients regained a mean of 80 degrees of knee flexion during the interval between the stages and a mean of 100 degrees of flexion following the second stage. There was no bone loss while removing the modified cement spacers. Patients had no significant intra-articular adhesions and hence the exposure of the knee joint during the second stage did not require further intra-articular dissection. Standard articulating spacers are not suitable in the cases with bone loss of the condyles. Our modified technique allowed us to use it in cases with moderate bone loss also where static spacers are used otherwise. This helped to mobilise these knees between the two stages of revision instead of keeping immobilised with static spacers. Antibiotic cement pancakes prevented intra-articular adhesions and carried an extra dose of antibiotic into the joint.

Mortality and re-revision following single-stage and two-stage revision surgery for the management of infected primary knee arthroplasty in England and Wales : evidence from the National Joint Registry.

We compared the risks of re-revision and mortality between two-stage revision surgery and single-stage revision surgery among patients with infected primary knee arthroplasty. Patients with a periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) of their primary knee arthroplasty, initially revised with a single-stage or a two-stage procedure in England and Wales between 2003 and 2014, were identified from the National Joint Registry. We used Poisson regression with restricted cubic splines to compute hazard ratios (HR) at different postoperative periods. The total number of revisions and re-revisions undergone by patients was compared between the two strategies. A total of 489 primary knee arthroplasties were revised with single-stage procedure (1,390 person-years) and 2,377 with two-stage procedure (8,349 person-years). The adjusted incidence rates of all-cause re-revision and for infection were comparable between these strategies (HR overall five years, 1.15 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.87 to 1.52), p = 0.308; HR overall five years, 0.99 (95% CI 0.70 to 1.39), p = 0.949, respectively). Patients initially managed with single-stage revision received fewer revision procedures overall than after two-stage revision (1.2 vs 2.2, p < 0.001). Mortality was lower for single-stage revision between six and 18 months postoperative (HR at six months, 0.51 (95% CI 0.25 to 1.00), p = 0.049 HR at 18 months, 0.33 (95% CI 0.12 to 0.99), p = 0.048) and comparable at other timepoints. The risk of re-revision was similar between single- and two-stage revision for infected primary knee arthroplasty. Single-stage group required fewer revisions overall, with lower or comparable mortality at specific postoperative periods. The single-stage revision is a safe and effective strategy to treat infected knee arthroplasties. There is potential for increased use to reduce the burden of knee PJI for patients, and for the healthcare system.Cite this article: Bone Joint Res2022;11(10):690-699.

Patient-Reported Outcomes Following a Two-Stage Revision Total Ankle Arthroplasty for Chronic Periprosthetic Joint Infections

Category: Ankle Arthritis; Ankle Introduction/Purpose: Previous studies have documented improvement in patient-reported outcomes (PROs) following primary total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) with mean two-year postoperative Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) Activities of Daily Living (ADL) scores reported as &gt;80 (Norvell et al. JBJS 2019). As TAAs become more common, complications including chronic prosthetic joint infections (PJIs) will be encountered more frequently. Although well-documented in the hip and knee arthroplasty literature, no studies have reported on PROs following a two-stage revision procedure for a chronic PJI after a TAA. The primary purpose of this study was to investigate clinical outcomes at a minimum of two-years postoperatively following a two-stage revision TAA for a chronic PJI. Secondary outcomes were to identify the need for soft-tissue coverage and postoperative complications following the revision. Methods: Patients who underwent a two-stage revision TAA for a chronic PJI (&gt;4 weeks after a primary TAA) between January 2010 and December 2019 were eligible to be included in this study. Chronic PJI was defined as a sinus tract that directly communicated with the prosthesis or the same organism identified in 2 synovial fluid samples. Patients were excluded if they did not have at least two-year postoperative Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) scores, which are validated patient-reported outcome tools. Twelve patients were eligible to be included in this study. One patient died prior to two-year follow-up, which left 11 patients available for analysis. All eleven patients underwent reimplantation with a stemmed tibial implant and flat-cut talus. Patients were contacted to determine if they had any additional reoperations since their last office note. The data was found not to be normally distributed; therefore, medians and interquartile ranges (IQRs) are reported. Results: The median time from primary TAA to resection was 17 months (IQR 2-24 months). Seven of 10 patients required a free flap for soft-tissue coverage prior to reimplantation. At a median of 3.0 years (IQR 2.0-4.0 years) following the second stage of their revision arthroplasty, the median FAAM ADL, Sports, Current Function, and Current Sports Level scores were 60.7 (IQR 52.4, 79.8), 31.3 (IQR 9.4, 40.6), 70 (IQR 25.0, 90.0), and 10 (IQR 0.0, 75.0) (Figure 1). Patients rated their current level of function as 'Severely Abnormal' in 3 patients, 'Abnormal' in 4 patients, 'Nearly Normal' in 3 patients, and 'Normal' in 1 patient. Six patients required a reoperation including three patients who underwent a subsequent irrigation and debridement, one patient who had a below knee amputation, one patient who required a dorsiflexion first metatarsal osteotomy, and one patient who had a subtalar and talonavicular arthrodesis. Conclusion: Our study suggests that a two-stage revision TAA is a viable option for patients with a chronic PJI with 90.9% of patients retaining their metal components at a minimum two-year follow-up. However, patients who undergo a two-stage revision TAA for a chronic PJI have lower than previously published two-year FAAM scores and a high rate of flap coverage and reoperation. Only 36.4% of patients rated their function as 'Normal' or 'Near Normal.' This data may be used to help counsel patients about the expected outcome following a two-stage revision TAA for a chronic PJI.

Среднесрочные результаты применения метода аутопластики медиального дефекта большеберцовой кости при первичном эндопротезировании коленного сустава

Introduction Repair of a bone defect in primary total knee arthroplasty remains one of the most common tasks that must be addressed intraoperatively. Autologous bone grafting is a good biological option to preserve the bone tissue for conservative revision. The objective of the study was to analyze the results of autologous bone grafting of the medial tibial defect in primary total knee arthroplasty. Material and methods Results of autografting a bone defect with cancellous bone obtained when forming a groove for the intercondylar box of the femoral component of the tibia during primary total knee arthroplasty were retrospectively analyzed (main group, n = 31). The control group (n = 31) was formed by leveling the heterogeneous clinical parameters identified in the initial data using the PSM method. The mean follow-up period was 72 months. The Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon tests were used for statistical data analysis. Lower limb realignment and bone graft reconstruction were evaluated radiographically, and KSS and WOMAC questionnaires were used for physical evaluation. Results There were no significant differences in the baseline and postoperative clinical conditions of the realigned lower limbs and the number of identified non-progressive radiolucent lines no greater than 2 mm in the groups. There were significant differences in the severity of varus deformity at baseline. Each group had one case of aseptic loosening of the tibial component. One patient of the comparison group had a late periprosthetic joint infection that was arrested with two-stage revision treatment. Discussion There were significant differences in the size of the varus deformity with no significant differences in the scores at the baseline between the groups. There were no differences in the realigned lower limbs and in the scores reported in the groups postoperatively. Conclusion The method developed was shown to be safe, affordable and effective. The result obtained was confirmed by absent differences in clinical and radiological outcomes between groups.

Changes in microbiological spectrum and antibiotic susceptibility in two-stage exchange for periprosthetic shoulder infections.

Periprosthetic joint infections (PJI) are a major concern in shoulder arthroplasty, which in some cases require two-stage exchange. While it was shown that low-virulence bacteria are the most isolated pathogens in shoulder PJI, little is known about changes in microbiological spectrum and resistance patterns during two-stage revision. This retrospective study included all patients (n = 25) who received a two-stage revision from January 2011 to December 2020 for shoulder PJI in one institution. Microbiological spectrum, antimicrobial resistance patterns, and re-revision rates of culture positive first- and second-stage procedures were analyzed. The mean follow-up time was 29.7months (range 8; 115months). At final follow-up, subjective shoulder value (SSV) and visual analog scale (VAS) score for pain and satisfaction with the surgery were assessed. In 25 patients, a total of 54 2-stage exchange procedures were performed and positive cultures were obtained in 36 of these surgeries (66.7%). A total of 7 out of 25 patients (28.0%) showed a positive microbiological culture at first and second stages. In those patients, the mean time between first and second stages was 30.9weeks (range 6; 70). Three out of those seven patients (42.9%) had a polymicrobial spectrum with one microorganism persistent at stage two, including Cutibacterium acnes (n = 1) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (MRSE) (n = 2). In all these cases, antimicrobial resistance patterns changed. All cultures with monomicrobial spectrum (n = 4) at first stage showed a changed spectrum. Patients with positive first- and second-stage revisions showed a mean SSV of 49.3% ± 23.5 versus 52.9% ± 29.5 in single positive patients (p = 0.76). Re-revision was performed in five cases, two of those in patients with positive first- and second-stage cultures. There is a high rate of changes in microbiological spectrum and resistance patterns between culture positive first- and second-stage procedures as well as subsequent re-revisions. Intraoperative samples during reimplantation should be taken and resistance reconsidered in case of re-revision.

Two-stage revision for periprosthetic infection in shoulder arthroplasty: an institutional experience

BackgroundPeriprosthetic joint infection involving shoulder arthroplasty is often treated with a 2-stage approach, involving resection and placement of an antibiotic cement spacer followed by staged reimplantation after eradication of the infection. While there are several studies examining the near-term clinical course and outcomes of this sequence, there is still ambiguity surrounding the diagnosis and treatment of periprosthetic joint infection, including the nature of the infection as well as treatment failure rates, and we hypothesized that trends may be observed in an institutional cohort of periprosthetic shoulder arthroplasty infections. MethodsA retrospective review of all shoulder arthroplasty cases performed at a tertiary care health system between May 2013 and September 2021 was conducted, revealing 32 patients who underwent a 2-stage treatment for periprosthetic infection, including reimplantation. Cases were reviewed for basic demographic factors, preoperative inflammatory markers, intraoperative frozen specimens and cultured organisms, and antibiotic regimen. Inpatient length of stay, discharge location, and unplanned 90-day readmissions were recorded, as well as subsequent clinical course including further post-reimplantation revisions. ResultsAll 32 cases underwent reimplantation, with a median time of 3.3 months (14.3 weeks) between stages and a post-reimplantation median follow-up of 0.6 years (minimum 1 year: 40%). Twenty-four (75%) cases required no further revision surgery, and in no cases was there a recurrence of deep infection or repeat 2-stage treatment after reimplantation. Four patients subsequently underwent aseptic revision, 3 sustained a periprosthetic fracture, and 1 underwent an irrigation and débridement for superficial cellulitis. At spacer placement, 17 cases (57%) were culture-negative infections, while 6 cases (20%) grew Cutibacterium acnes. Intraoperative frozen sections were taken in 17 cases, but only 3 (18%) were positive for acute inflammation. ConclusionTwo-stage treatment for periprosthetic infection in shoulder arthroplasty appears to have a high efficacy in preventing recurrence of deep infection, but patients should be counseled regarding its high all-cause revision rate following reimplantation. Further, many infections can be culture-negative with no intraoperative evidence of acute inflammation.

Fungal Periprosthetic Hip Joint Infections.

Introduction: Fungal hip prosthetic joint infections (PJIs) are rare but severe infections. Their incidence has increased in the last decades due to the aging population, as well as due to the increased number of immunosuppressed hosts. The present review of all published fungal PJIs in hip arthroplasties aims to present as much data as possible for both medical and surgical treatment options, so that the best applicable management may be concluded. Methods: A meticulous review of all published fungal hip PJIs was conducted. Information regarding demographics, causative fungus, antifungal treatment (AFT), surgical management as well as the infection outcome was recorded. Results: A total of 89 patients suffering fungal hip PJI were identified. The patients’ mean age was 66.9 years. The mean time from initial arthroplasty to onset of symptoms was 69.3 months, while 40.4% of the patients were immunocompromised. The most common imaging method indicating diagnosis was plain X-ray or CT scan (20.2%), while definite diagnosis had become possible through cultures in most cases (98.9%), and/or histology (44.9%). The most frequently isolated fungus was C. albicans (49.4%), followed by C. parapsilosis (18%) and C. glabrata (12.4%), while bacterial co-infection was present in 32 cases (36%). Two-stage revision arthroplasty (TSRA) was the most commonly performed procedure (52.8%), with mean time between the two stages = 7.9 months. Regarding antifungal treatment (AFT), fluconazole was the preferred agent (62.9%), followed by amphotericin B (36%), while the mean duration of AFT was 5.1 months. Outcome was successful in 68 cases (76.4%). Conclusions: Both diagnosis and management of fungal PJIs in patients having undergone total hip arthroplasty are quite demanding. A multidisciplinary approach is of utmost importance, since the combination of AFT and TSRA appears to be the proper treatment method.

Fix and replace: Simultaneous fracture fixation and hip replacement for acetabular fractures in older patients

IntroductionDisplaced acetabular fractures in the elderly present significant treatment challenges. The ‘fix and replace’ concept involves open reduction and internal fixation of the acetabulum, providing bony stability to accept the press-fit of an acetabular cup, with a cemented femoral stem. This allows early mobilisation and the advantages this confers. This study of 57 patients treated with fix and replace describes our technique, outcomes, and survival analysis. MethodsA retrospective review of 57 ‘fix and replace’ procedures in patients aged over 60 was performed. Data was collected on mechanism, fracture type, demographics, time to surgery, comorbidity index, complications, EQ-5D and Oxford hip scores (OHS). Radiographs were reviewed for fracture healing, implant loosening, cup migration, and heterotopic ossification. Results57 patients aged 60 to 95 had fix and replace surgery. The median ASA score was 3. The mean Charlson Index was 4.8. 45 patients had a low-energy fall, 6 had a road traffic accident, 3 fell off a bicycle, and 1 mechanism was unclear. The fracture patterns were anterior column posterior hemitransverse (67%), associated both columns (9%), posterior column (9%), posterior column and posterior wall (9%), and transverse (2%). The mean time to surgery was 8.4 days (0–14). 26 out of 57 (46%) received a blood transfusion. Mean length of stay was 17.6 days (7–86). The mean follow-up was 35.5 months. 4 dislocations were treated with closed reduction, whilst 1 required excision arthroplasty. 2 infections resolved with debridement, antibiotics, and implant retention (DAIR), whilst 1 required a two-stage revision. 1 acetabular component had migrated requiring revision. The median pre-injury OHS was 44 (26–48) compared to 37.3 (28–48) at 1 year. There were no deaths at 30-days, whilst at 1 year 7 patients had died. Kaplan Meier survival analysis showed mean survival was 1984.5 days. Implant survival was 90% at 1 year. ConclusionWhile fix and replace is conceptually attractive, this medically complex patient group requires considerable support peri‑ and post-operatively. Further studies are required to provide clinicians with more information to decide on how best to provide a holistic management strategy for such injuries in this frail patient cohort.

Which serum markers predict the success of reimplantation after periprosthetic joint infection?

PurposeIn clinical practice, serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) levels are routinely used to screen for periprosthetic joint infection (PJI), but the effectiveness of predicting the success of reimplantation is variable. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic effectiveness of serum CRP, ESR, plasma D-dimer, and fibrinogen values in groups achieving treatment success or failure for PJI.MethodsA total of 119 PJI cases between January 2012 and January 2017 were identified and included in this study. The most recent serum CRP, ESR, plasma D-dimer, and fibrinogen values obtained prior to performing second-stage revision or spacer exchange were collected for analysis. Treatment failure was defined as having been unable to undergo reimplantation due to clinically persistent infection or reinfection after reimplantation.ResultsAll these tests showed significantly lower values in the treatment success group than in the treatment failure group. The optimal cutoff serum CRP, ESR, plasma D-dimer, and fibrinogen levels for predicting the success of reimplantation were 9.4 mg/L, 29 mm/h, 1740 ng/mL, and 365.6 mg/dL, respectively. All tests had the same sensitivity (72.7%) except for ESR (63.6%), while their specificities were 92.6%, 88.0%, 72.3%, and 83.2%, respectively. Plasma fibrinogen had the highest AUC value of 0.831 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.685 to 0.978], followed by serum CRP (0.829) and ESR (0.795); plasma D-dimer had the lowest AUC value of 0.716 (95% CI, 0.573 to 0.859).ConclusionPlasma CRP and fibrinogen are good tests for predicting reimplantation success after two-stage revision procedures for patients with PJI.