Treatment of Infected Hip Arthroplasty with Antibiotic-Loaded Cement Spacers

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the effect of antibiotic-loaded cement spacers on the treatment of infected hip arthroplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-one patients, twenty-one cases that experienced infection after total hip arthroplasty, were treated with two-stage arthroplasty using antibiotic-loaded cement spacers between July 1995 and March 2005. The average age was 56.3 years (range, 36~84 years). The follow-up period was 7.2 years (range, 3~11.4 years). The period from the first operation to diagnosis of infection was 28 months (range, 1~49 months). Preoperative culture, Tc 99m scan or Gallium scan, intraoperative culture and biopsy were performed for the evaluation of infection. We postoperatively evaluated clinical and radiological outcomes, blood analysis including serologic study, complete blood cell count, differential count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein. RESULTS: Of a total of 21cases, acetabular cup, femoral head and femoral stem were substituted in 10 cases (48%). Acetabular cup and femoral head were substituted in 11 cases (52%). Revision arthroplasty was performed in 19 cases, on average 11.9 months (range 2~31 months) after insertion of antibiotic-loaded cement spacers. Infection recurred in 1 case. In 18 cases, excluding the reinfected one, the average Harris hip score, 46.8 points (range, 35~72 points) preoperatively, improved to 89.5 points (range, 78~100 points) at last follow-up in the revision group. In 2 cases in which revision total hip arthroplasty was not performed, the Harris hip score was 53 points (range, 36~70 points) preoperatively, and 86 points (range,72~100 points) at last follow-up. CONCLUSION: The use of antibiotic-loaded cement spacers in two-stage arthroplasty is an effective method for management of infection, preserving joint function until performing revision arthroplasty. Preservation of the femoral stem should be considered in cases in which were fixed firmly and in cases which show no evidence of the spreading of infection to the distal part of the stem on Tc 99m scan or Gallium scan performed preoperatively.

Revision Total Hip Arthroplasty with S-ROM Modular System

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical and radiological outcomes after revision total hip arthroplasty using the S-ROM modular system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-three consecutive patients (24 hips) who underwent femoral stem revision with the S-ROM modular system were followed for more than two years. The average follow-up period was 44 months (range, 24~72 months), and the average age at the time of the revision was 48 years (range, 30~68 years). Underlying causes for revisions included 23 cases of aseptic loosening and 1 case of septic loosening. Femoral bone defects according to the Paprosky system were classified as type II in 12 hips, type III in 8, and type IV in 4. The clinical and radiographic results were evaluated. RESULTS: At the time of latest follow-up, there was no femoral stem loosening, osteolysis, radiolucency, or rerevision. Although 3 cases of Paprosky classification type IV showed subsidence, stable fibrous fixation was achieved in these hips. Complications included 1 intraoperative femoral shaft crack and 1 postoperative deep infection. CONCLUSION: We can achieve stable initial fixation using the S-ROM modular system with proximal press fitting sleeve and fluted stem.