Concomitant Multiple Joint Arthroplasty Infections: Report on 16 Cases.

BACKGROUND: Concomitant infections of several prostheses are very rare, serious events that pose particular medical and surgical therapeutic challenges. This study was undertaken to describe epidemiologic, clinical, and microbiological characteristics of concomitant multiple joint arthroplasty infections, their treatments, and outcomes. METHODS: Retrospective (January 2000 and January 2014), single-center, cohort study in a referral center for bone and joint infections. All patients with at least 2 concomitant, microbiologically documented, prosthetic joint infections, that is, during the same septic episode, were included. RESULTS: Sixteen patients were included. Median (range) age was 78 years (46-93 years), gender ratio was 1, and median (range) body mass index was 27 (21-42). Multiple joint arthroplasties (bilateral hip in 8 patients; bilateral knee in 3 patients; hip and knee in 1 patient; and 2 knees and 1 hip in 1 patient) were contaminated hematogenously in all patients, 2 after early postoperative infections. Eight Staphylococcus aureus, 1 Staphylococcus epidermidis, 6 Streptococcus, and 1 Escherichia coli strains were isolated. A curative strategy was applied to 11 patients: 3 underwent bilateral synovectomies, 6 had successive 1-stage exchange arthroplasties, and 2 were treated with other strategies. After 37 months (range, 24-132 months) of follow-up, reinfection occurred in 1 patient. The 5 other patients received prolonged suppressive antibiotic therapy. CONCLUSION: These complex infections occur during staphylococcal or streptococcal bacteremia. Treatment strategies should be discussed by a multidisciplinary team on a case-by-case basis.

Antegrade nailing evolution for proximal humeral fractures, the Telegraph IV(®): a study of 67 patients.

INTRODUCTION: There are multiple surgical treatment methods for proximal humerus fractures (PHF), but rarely do they provide satisfactory results. The objective of this study was to assess radioclinical outcomes and complications in patients treated using a modern intramedullary nailing system the Telegraph I(®). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is an observational multicenter study cohort conducted between March 2008 and December 2009 on 105 patients admitted with a diagnosis of PHF and operated on two trauma I centers. The Neer and Articular Surgical neck Tuberosities classifications were used for the study. The primary outcome measure was the clinical Constant score. Follow-up of the patients was done at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, and 3 years after the procedure. RESULTS: A total of 67 patients (51 women and 16 men) were assessed at a mean of 38 months. The weighted Constant score was 88%. The mean rate of complications was 16%. The weighted Constant scores were 84 and 95% for the 2- and 3-part groups, respectively. Articular 4-part fractures had an average score of 86% when they were valgus impacted and 67% for complex disengaged fractures. Notably, the complication rate was 67% for this latter group. CONCLUSIONS: Our clinical results support the use of this antegrade nailing for extra-articular and valgus-impacted articular fractures. This procedure does not appear suitable for displaced articular fracture for which arthroplasty may be indicated by elderly.