Kresimir Crnogaca

Cefazolin should be administered maximum 30 min before incision in total knee arthroplasty when tourniquet is used

Periprosthetic infection is regarded as one of the most feared complications following total knee arthroplasty, developing in 0.4-2% of patients. Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis are credited for more than half of all infections. Cefazolin is the most commonly used antibiotic drug in arthroplasty antibiotic prophylaxis worldwide. Guidelines and studies recommend that prophylactic antibiotics should be completely infused within 60 min before the surgical incision. Cefazolin achieves highest peak bone concentrations 40 min after parenteral application with serum half-life of 108 min and bone half-life of 42 min. Respecting the given pharmacokinetics of cefazolin and theoretical mathematical model we hypothesise that parenteral application of cefazolin should be in time period not longer than 30 min before incision (tourniquet inflation) and not less than 10 min before tourniquet inflation if given in bolus. This new regime would provide maximal blood concentration of the cefazolin and almost maximal bone concentration of the cefazolin at the beginning of the operation and at the beginning of the tourniquet inflation.

Dislocated trial femoral head during total hip arthroplasty: review of the literature and the new algorithm for treatment.

Dislocation of the trial femoral head is a rare and unpleasant event that can compromise the success of the total hip arthroplasty. A 62-year-old Caucasian woman with osteoarthritis was admitted to our Department and underwent an elective total hip arthroplasty. While performing the dislocation manoeuver the trial femoral head dissociated from the taper in the superior and anterior direction in the soft tissue and could not be retrieved immediately. The operation was then executed and finished in an ordinary manner. Three months after discharge from our department patient presented with the pain in the hip and groin and periprosthetic joint infection was diagnosed. The successful second operation for the retrieval of the dislocated trial femoral head was conducted through ilioinguinal approach. In this paper we reviewed the published literature and developed the algorithm for the decision-making while dealing with the dislocated and lost trial femoral head.

Elevated CRP level could herald less efficient autologous conditioned serum (ACS) treatment

Autologous conditioned serum (ACS) is a biologically based local treatment aiming to influence the cytokine imbalance and is used in a variety of orthopedic diseases and conditions. The ACS contains elevated levels of various anti-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1 RA (receptor antagonist), IL-4 and IL-10 and several growth factors. It contains a combination of cytokines and growth factors, and their specific contribution to clinical effects have yet to be determined. Serum conditioned in that specific way does not always have the same content and concentration of the anti-inflammatory cytokines and growth factors. We hypothesize that ACS should not be prepared and administered if elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels are present at the moment of obtaining the patients blood because of the potential detrimental effect of elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines in the same blood, namely IL-1 and TNF. We propose introduction of CRP measuring before any ACS treatment. The cut off value would be set at 5mg/dL as an usual value suggesting inflammation. Avoidance of collecting and administering ACS if elevated CRP is present would potentially eliminate low quality ACS.

A simple new technique for the removal of fractured femoral stems: a case report

IntroductionThe removal of broken femoral stems has become a major issue in revision surgery, and is a technically difficult and time-consuming procedure.Case presentationWe present a case of a fracture of a cementless long femoral stem in a 65-year-old, white Caucasian man. The distal part was removed with a special longitudinal osteotomy through the anterior cortex extending distally for 10cm. It was then followed by a transversal osteotomy 2cm below the tip of the femoral stump to allow enough space for two locking pliers. Simultaneously using a lamina spreader on the distal part, the broken stem was extracted while hammering on two locking pliers.ConclusionsWe developed a simple and easy technique for the removal of a broken femoral stem that can be applied to all kinds of femoral stems and intramedullary nails regardless of their cross section. We used ordinary surgical instruments and spared the remaining bone stock.

Halogravity traction in the preoperative treatment of scoliosis in twins with Marfan syndrome.

We report on the influence of the duration of halogravity traction for achieving curve correction in monozygotic twins with Marfan syndrome who underwent posterior spinal fusion. Review of the medical charts and standard radiograph analysis of twin girls treated at our department was performed. Halogravity traction with a four-pin skull construct was applied for 3 weeks in twin A and for 2 weeks in twin B with a maximum of 20% body weight used. Both were on a 24-hours-day halogravity traction regime. Achieved thoracic curve correction after halogravity traction was 31% in twin A and 18% in twin B. Although less curve correction after traction was achieved in twin B, this had no significant implications on final postoperative curve correction. Halogravity traction can be a useful tool in the preoperative treatment of scoliosis in patients with Marfan syndrome if applied for 3 weeks. In order to avoid complications, we propose that lower weights be used with a starting weight of 1.5 kg increased by 1 kg daily until 20% body weight is reached.