Successful clinical use of daptomycin-impregnated bone cement in two-stage revision hip surgery for prosthetic joint infection.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the safe and successful use of daptomycin-impregnated polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) bone cement in the treatment of a case of recurrent prosthetic joint infection in a patient with multiple antibiotic allergies and past colonization with multiply antibiotic-resistant organisms. CASE SUMMARY: A 79-year-old female had a history of chronic recurrent left prosthetic hip infection. The patient had confirmed allergies to multiple antibiotics and a past history of colonization with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. At first-stage revision surgery, the infected prosthesis was removed and samples were sent for microbiologic culture. A spacer device was fashioned, with incorporation of daptomycin and gentamicin into the PMMA bone cement at a concentration of 5% w/w for each antibiotic. Systemic daptomycin and gentamicin were administered postoperatively for 14 days. Propionibacterium acnes was isolated from deep-tissue specimens. The patient made excellent postoperative progress and was discharged after 2 weeks. Second-stage revision surgery was performed at 6 months, with no signs of persistent infection. She remained well, pain free, and mobilizing independently 2 years later. DISCUSSION: Daptomycin, a cyclic lipopeptide antibiotic, is approved for systemic treatment of endocarditis and skin and soft tissue infections. In vitro data demonstrate acceptable drug elution from and tensile strength of daptomycin-impregnated PMMA bone cement; however, clinical data are lacking. In our patient's case, the cement formulation was well tolerated, with no adverse effects detected, and demonstrated adequate mechanical strength in vivo. Infection with P. acnes, an unusual pathogen, was successfully treated. Further clinical studies are required to assess the efficacy of daptomycin-impregnated cement in infection with more typical pathogens, such as S. aureus. CONCLUSIONS: Daptomycin impregnation of PMMA bone cement may be an option in cases in which patient or pathogen factors preclude use of routinely incorporated agents.

An innovative and cost-effective way of managing ankle fractures prior to surgery--home therapy.

INTRODUCTION: Ankle fractures are common injuries affecting all age groups and constitute a large proportion of the orthopaedic trauma case load. Patients are usually admitted directly to the ward from the emergency department and a large number of bed-days are spent waiting for the ankle swelling to subside prior to surgery. We audited current practice and then implemented a home therapy programme (HTP). The purpose of the study was to assess the pioneering HTP with respect to cost effectiveness, length of stay and patient satisfaction. PATIENTS AND METHODS: If HTP criteria were met, patients with reduced, unstable ankle fractures were taught safe mobilisation by physiotherapists in the emergency department. They were then discharged home to ice and elevate their ankle in a plaster backslab. A provisional operation date was allocated on discharge. They were admitted to hospital the day of surgery and then discharged home when safe and comfortable. RESULTS: Forty-three consecutive patients met our inclusion criteria and underwent surgical fixation of unstable ankle fractures over a 3-month period (February-April 2008). The average length of hospital stay was 8 days (range, 1-18 days), 4.5 days pre-operatively and 3.5 days postoperatively. Patients were frustrated and dissatisfied with the whole process. In total, 177 patients underwent surgical fixation of unstable ankle fractures over an 11-month period (November 2008 to October 2009) and, of these, 59 met the home therapy criteria. The average length of hospital stay was 2.4 days, 1 day pre-operatively (range, 0-4 days) and 1.4 days postoperatively (range, 0-5 days). All HTP patients expressed satisfaction with the process. Over the course of the HTP, 354 bed-days were saved which equates to a saving of £81,774. The annual estimated cost saving is £90,000. CONCLUSIONS: The home therapy programme has proved effective in reducing hospital stay both pre- and postoperatively. It is cost-effective and well received by patients.