Jorge Manrique

The Fate of Spacers in the Treatment of Periprosthetic Joint Infection

BACKGROUND Two-stage exchange arthroplasty remains the preferred method to treat periprosthetic joint infection. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical course of periprosthetic joint infection following resection arthroplasty and insertion of a spacer. METHODS Our institutional database was used to identify 504 cases of periprosthetic joint infection (326 knees and 178 hips) treated with resection arthroplasty and spacer insertion as part of a two-stage exchange arthroplasty. A review of the patient charts was performed to extract information relevant to the objectives of this study that included the details of the clinical course following resection arthroplasty. RESULTS The mean follow-up duration after initial spacer implantation was 56.2 months. Reimplantation occurred in the joints of 417 (82.7%) of 504 cases. Of these 417 cases, 329 (78.9%) had a minimum one-year follow-up, and 81.4% of these had successful treatment. The mean duration from resection arthroplasty to reimplantation was 4.2 months (range, 0.7 to 131.7 months). Sixty (11.9%) of the 504 joints required interim spacer exchange(s). Of the eighty-seven cases that did not undergo reimplantation, six (6.9%) required amputation, five (5.7%) underwent a Girdlestone procedure, four (4.6%) underwent arthrodesis, and seventy-two (82.8%) underwent spacer retention. Thirty-six patients died in the interstage period. CONCLUSIONS The commonly held belief that two-stage exchange arthroplasty carries a high success rate for the eradication of periprosthetic joint infection may need to be reexamined. A considerable number of patients undergoing the first stage of a two-stage procedure do not undergo a subsequent reimplantation for a variety of reasons or require an additional spacer exchange in the interim. Reports on the success of two-stage exchange should account for the mortality of these patients and for patients who never undergo reimplantation.

Stiffness after Total Knee Arthroplasty

Stiffness after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) adversely affects outcome and impacts patient function. Various risk factors for stiffness after TKA have been identified, including reduced preoperative knee range of motion, history of prior knee surgery, etiology of arthritis, incorrect positioning or oversizing of components, and incorrect gap balancing. Mechanical and associated causes, such as infection, arthrofibrosis, complex regional pain syndrome, and heterotopic ossification, secondary gain issues have also been identified. Management of stiffness following TKA can be challenging. The condition needs to be assessed and treated in a staged manner. A nonsurgical approach is the first step. Manipulation under anesthesia may be considered within the first 3 months after the index TKA, if physical therapy fails to improve the range of motion. Beyond this point, consideration should be given to surgical intervention such as lysis of adhesions, either arthroscopically or by open arthrotomy. If the cause of stiffness is deemed to be surgical error, such as component malpositioning, revision arthroplasty is indicated. The purpose of this article is to evaluate the various aspects of management of stiffness after TKA.

Positive Culture During Reimplantation Increases the Risk of Subsequent Failure in Two-Stage Exchange Arthroplasty

BACKGROUND It is strongly recommended that tissue and synovial fluid culture samples be obtained during reimplantation performed as part of a 2-stage exchange arthroplasty. The rate of positive cultures during reimplantation and the influence of positive cultures on subsequent outcomes, to our knowledge, are unknown. This study was designed to determine the rate of positive cultures during reimplantation and to investigate the association between positive cultures at reimplantation and subsequent outcomes. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed the data of 259 patients who met the Musculoskeletal Infection Society criteria for periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) and who underwent both stages of 2-stage exchange arthroplasty at our institution from 1999 to 2013. Among these patients were 267 PJIs (186 knees and 81 hips); 33 (12.4%) had ≥1 positive culture result at reimplantation. Treatment failure was assessed according to the Delphi-based consensus definition. Logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the predictors of positive culture and risk factors for failure of 2-stage exchange arthroplasty. RESULTS Of the 33 cases with PJI, 15 (45.5%) had a subsequent failure of the 2-stage exchange arthroplasty compared with 49 (20.9%) of the cases that were culture-negative at reimplantation. When controlling for other variables using multivariate analyses, the risk of treatment failure was higher (odds ratio = 2.53; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.13 to 5.64) and reinfection occurred earlier (hazard ratio = 2.00; 95% CI = 1.05 to 3.82) for the cases with a positive culture during reimplantation. The treatment failure rate did not differ (p = 0.73) between cases with ≥2 positive cultures (36.4%) and 1 positive culture (50%). CONCLUSIONS Positive intraoperative culture at the time of reimplantation, regardless of the number of positive samples, was independently associated with >2 times the risk of subsequent treatment failure and earlier reinfection. Surgeons should be aware that a positive culture at the time of reimplantation independently increases the risk of subsequent failure. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Surgical site infection and transfusion rates are higher in underweight total knee arthroplasty patients

Background Underweight (UW) patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty have exhibited higher complication rates, including infection and transfusion. No study to our knowledge has evaluated UW total knee arthroplasty (TKA) patients. We, therefore, conducted a study to investigate if these patients are at increased risk for complications, including infection and transfusion. Methods A case-control study was conducted using a prospectively collected institutional database. Twenty-seven TKA patients were identified as UW (body mass index [BMI] < 18.5 kg/m2) from 2000-2012 and were matched for age, gender, date of surgery, age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index, rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetes. These patients were compared to 81 normal weight patients (BMI 18.5-24 kg/m2). Demographic variables were compared, along with wound complications, surgical site infection (SSI), blistering, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, transfusion, revision, flexion contracture, hematoma formation, and patellar clunk. Results The average BMI was 17.1 kg/m2 (range 12.8-18.4) for UW and 23.0 kg/m2 (range 19.0-25.0) for normal weight patients (P < .001). UW TKA patients were more likely to develop SSIs (3/27, 11.1% vs 0/81, 0.0%, P = .01) and were more likely to require transfusions (odds ratio = 3.4, confidence interval 1.3-9.1; P = .02). Conclusions Our study demonstrates that UW TKA patients have a higher likelihood of developing SSI and requiring blood transfusions. The specific reasons are unclear, but we conjecture that it may be related to decreased wound healing capabilities and low preoperative hemoglobin. Investigation of local tissue coverage and hematologic status may be beneficial in this patient population to prevent SSI. Based on the results of this study, a prospective evaluation of these factors should be undertaken.

Direct anterior approach for revision total hip arthroplasty

Revision total hip arthroplasty (THA) can be successfully performed through the direct anterior (DA) approach. Patient positioning, the surgical approach and specific instruments are important for obtaining adequate exposure. Acetabular exposure can be facilitated by capsular release and correct placement of retractors. Distal and proximal extension of the incision, as well as a femoral extended trochanteric osteotomy (ETO) can be performed to increase femoral exposure. The purposes of this article are to describe the DA approach, provide surgical techniques for revision THA through this approach, and describe the indications, contraindications and complications of this approach.

Bacterial Contamination in Tips of Electrocautery Devices During Total Hip Arthroplasty.

Surgical equipment can become contaminated during surgery. It is unknown if electrocautery tips can become contaminated in clean orthopedic procedures despite the produced heat. Therefore, we conducted a prospective study to address this concern. The tips from 25 primary and 25 aseptic revision THAs were collected and an additional 5 sterile tips served as negative controls. Aerobic and anaerobic cultures were incubated for a minimum of 3 days. There were 3 positive cultures (6%); one in primary THA (4%) with Lactobacillus and Enterococcus faecalis; two among revisions (8%), one with E. faecalis and another one with alpha hemolytic streptococci and coagulase negative Staphylococcus. The mean exposure time of the contaminated tips was 132.3 minutes. Patients were followed for 90 days postoperatively and none of them developed surgical site infection. This is the first study to demonstrate that electrosurgical devices can become contaminated during THA in laminar flow equipped operating rooms.

Hip and Knee Section, Treatment, Surgical Technique: Proceedings of International Consensus on Orthopedic Infections

Hip and Knee Section, Treatment, Surgical Technique: Proceedings of International Consensus on Orthopedic Infections Moneer M. Abouljoud , David Backstein , Andrew Battenberg , Matthew Dietz , Alejo Erice , Andrew A. Freilberg , Jeffrey Granger , Adam Katchy , Anton Khlopas , Tae-Kyun Kim , Per Kjaersgaard-Andersen , Kyung-Hoi Koo , Yona Kosashvili , Percia Lazarovski , Jennifer Leighton , Adolph Lombardi , Konstantinos Malizos , Jorge Manrique , Michael A. Mont , Marianthe Papanagiotoy , Rafael J. Sierra , John Stammers , Maik Stiehler , Timothy L. Tan , Katsufumi Uchiyama , Derek Ward , Anna Ziogkou 5

General Assembly, Prevention, Local Antimicrobials: Proceedings of International Consensus on Orthopedic Infections

General Assembly, Prevention, Local Antimicrobials: Proceedings of International Consensus on Orthopedic Infections Jose Baeza , Marco Bernardo Cury , Andrew Fleischman , Albert Ferrando , Manuel Fuertes , Karan Goswami , Lars Lidgre , Philip Linke , Jorge Manrique , Gabriel Makar , Alex McLaren , T. Fintan Moriarty , Qun Ren , Kelly Vince , Peter Wahl , Jason Webb , Heinz Winkler , Eivind Witsø , Simon W. Young 5

Direct Anterior Approach THA Using a Morphometrically Optimized Femoral Stem, a Conventional Operating Table, without Fluoroscopy

BACKGROUND Our experience with direct anterior approach total hip arthroplasty (THA) suggests that it can be performed successfully with a morphometrically optimized metaphyseal-diaphyseal engaging femoral stem (NOT a short stem), a regular operating room table (NOT a special custom table), and WITHOUT intraoperative fluoroscopy. We report our minimum 2-year results. METHODS A retrospective review of a single-surgeon series of primary direct anterior approach THAs was performed. All procedures were performed on a regular table, without fluoroscopy, using a cementless tapered femoral stem. Clinical, functional, and radiographic outcomes were evaluated at a minimum of 2 years. RESULTS In total, 1017 primary THAs were performed. The preoperative Harris Hip Score was 40.7 ± 5.1 and improved to 95.3 ± 4.2 at minimum 2-year follow-up. There were 3 dislocations (0.3%) and 15 revisions (1.5%): 7 for infection (0.7%), 4 for periprosthetic fractures (0.4%), 2 for instability (0.2%), 1 for loosening (0.1%), and 1 for pain (0.1%). Five patients (0.5%) required blood transfusion. One patient developed deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. No intraoperative fractures, perforation, or THA-related mortality occurred. Neutral stem alignment was confirmed in 98.3%. Mean cup inclination was 38.8° ± 5.1° and anteversion was 16.2° ± 3.5°. The mean leg-length discrepancy was corrected from 1.2 ± 0.2 cm preoperatively to 0.2 ± 0.1 cm postoperatively. CONCLUSION Using a morphometrically optimized metaphyseal-diaphyseal engaging tapered femoral stem instead of a short stem reduces component malposition and minimizes risk of loosening. Combining the use of this implant design and the technique and elements described in our cohort demonstrated to have excellent results at 2 years. The patients will need continued follow-up to demonstrate further durability of this device and technique compared to others performing direct anterior THA.

Periprosthetic Infection: Management of Chronically Infected Total Knee Arthroplasty

Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is the most feared and challenging complication after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) due to the difficulty in diagnosis and treatment. The patient is exposed to multiple procedures, increasing the risk of complications, and finally compromising functional outcome. Currently, there is no gold standard test for PJI, and the final diagnosis is accomplished by combining clinical suspicion with inflammatory marker results. Two-stage exchange arthroplasty remains the preferred method of treatment for chronic PJI in TKA, with a high rate of success reported in literature. However, failures and complications in two-stage exchange can occur. There are no clarified guidelines to treat complications or treatment failures. Thus, each case should be individualized to offer options that match the patient’s expectations with what is achievable. The case report in this chapter represents the worst case scenario after a TKA, and is a reminder that the gold standard is far from perfect, while it outlines multiple instances a surgeon could encounter.