Bacteriophage Application for Difficult-to-treat Musculoskeletal Infections: Development of a Standardized Multidisciplinary Treatment Protocol.

Bacteriophage therapy has recently attracted increased interest, particularly in difficult-to-treat infections. Although it is not a novel concept, standardized treatment guidelines are currently lacking. We present the first steps towards the establishment of a "multidisciplinary phage task force" (MPTF) and a standardized treatment pathway, based on our experience of four patients with severe musculoskeletal infections. After review of their medical history and current clinical status, a multidisciplinary team found four patients with musculoskeletal infections eligible for bacteriophage therapy within the scope of Article 37 of the Declaration of Helsinki. Treatment protocols were set up in collaboration with phage scientists and specialists. Based on the isolated pathogens, phage cocktails were selected and applied intraoperatively. A draining system allowed postoperative administration for a maximum of 10 days, 3 times per day. All patients received concomitant antibiotics and their clinical status was followed daily during phage therapy. No severe side-effects related to the phage application protocol were noted. After a single course of phage therapy with concomitant antibiotics, no recurrence of infection with the causative strains occurred, with follow-up periods ranging from 8 to 16 months. This study presents the successful outcome of bacteriophage therapy using a standardized treatment pathway for patients with severe musculoskeletal infection. A multidisciplinary team approach in the form of an MPTF is paramount in this process.

Are the current guidelines for surgical delay in hip fractures too rigid? A single center assessment of mortality and economics.

PURPOSE: Controversy remains around acceptable surgical delay of acute hip fractures with current guidelines ranging from 24 to 48 h. Increasing healthcare costs force us to consider the economic burden as well. We aimed to evaluate the adjusted effect of surgical delay for hip fracture surgery on early mortality, healthcare costs and readmission rate. We hypothesized that shorter delays resulted in lower early mortality and costs. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study 2573 consecutive patients aged ≥50 years were included, who underwent surgery for acute hip fractures between 2009 and 2017. Main endpoints were thirty- and ninety-day mortality, total cost, and readmission rate. Multivariable regression included sex, age and ASA score as covariates. RESULTS: Thirty-day mortality was 5% (n = 133), ninety-day mortality 12% (n = 304). Average total cost was €11960, dominated by hospitalization (59%) and honoraria (23%). Per 24 h delay, the adjusted odds ratio was 1.07 (95% CI 0.98-1.18) for thirty-day mortality, 1.12 (95% CI 1.04-1.19) for ninety-day mortality, and 0.99 (95% CI = 0.88-1.12) for readmission. Per 24 h delay, costs increased with 7% (95% CI 6-8%). For mortality, delay was a weaker predictor than sex, age, and ASA score. For costs, delay was the strongest predictor. We did not find clear cut-points for surgical delay after which mortality or costs increased abruptly. CONCLUSIONS: Despite only modest associations with mortality, we observed a steady increase in healthcare costs when delaying surgery. Hence, a more pragmatic approach with surgery as soon as medically and organizationally possible seems justifiable over rigorous implementation of the current guidelines.

Acetabular Fracture after Hip Hemiarthroplasty: One Stage Procedure to a Total Hip Arthroplasty after Stabilization of the Fracture by Means of Cerclage Wires.

Introduction: Hip fractures in the elderly pose an increasing problem in society. In the elderly, a bipolar hemiarthroplasty (HA) remains the treatment of choice in case of hip fractures related to osteoporosis. However, due to an ongoing osteoporosis in this age group, a periprosthetic femoral fracture and a fracture of the unresurfaced acetabulum are increasingly noticed.In the literature, no information can be found regarding the treatment options for this kind of periprosthetic acetabular fracture. Case Report: We present a case report of a patient suffering an acetabular fracture 6 years after a HA. A one stage surgical procedure was the treatment of choice, consisting of a stabilization the acetabulum fracture by means of cerclage wires and a conversion of the HA to a total hip arthroplasty (THA). 4 months after surgery, she regained her pre-operative functional status, and a radiographic evaluation of the right hemipelvis showed good signs ofthe fracture healing without migration ofthe acetabular component. Conclusion: This case shows a "one stage" surgery solution for an acetabular fracture after HA. Stabilization of the acetabulum fracture by means of cerclage wires and a conversion ofthe HA to a THAis a viable solution for this rare and challenging problem.

Posterolateral approach in a neurofibromatosis type-I patient with severe dystrophic thoracic kyphoscoliosis: A case report, cadaver study, and literature review.

Neurofibromatosis type-I (NF-I) is an autosomal-dominant hereditary disorder, in which spinal skeletal deformities are one of the manifestations and manifest as acquired abnormalities and present as short, sharp, and angular (usually thoracic) curves. The scoliosis can be severe requiring surgical intervention. The surgical procedure can be difficult because of scalloping of the vertebral bodies and dural ectasia. We state that in selected cases of severe thoracic dystrophic kyphoscoliosis in NF-I, the posterolateral approach is the only possible method to visualize the anterior thoracic spinal cord, perform anterior decompression, and to stabilize the thoracic deformity, because of the anterior dural ectasias and the kyphosis limiting an anterior procedure.

The Gotfried PerCutaneous Compression Plate versus the Dynamic Hip Screw in the treatment of pertrochanteric hip fractures: minimal invasive treatment reduces operative time and postoperative pain.

BACKGROUND: The PerCutaneous Compression Plate (PCCP) was developed by Gotfried (Israel, Haifa) for minimal-approach osteosynthesis of pertrochanteric fractures. METHODS: One hundred fifteen patients, aged 60 or more, with intertrochanteric fractures (AO type 31A1 or 31A2) were selected randomly for fixation with either the PCCP (53 patients) or the Dynamic Hip Screw (62 patients). All surviving patients were scheduled for a 1-year follow-up. RESULTS: Less invasive surgical stabilization of pertrochanteric fractures with the PCCP resulted in shorter theater and surgical time and reduced postoperative pain. The PCCP treatment showed a tendency toward a lower transfusion need and a reduction of fracture impaction; however, results were not statistically significant. There was a trend toward a higher mechanical complication rate with the PCCP: anatomic closed reduction without posterior sagging of the fracture and fluoroscopic control of the placement of the first neck screw in two directions are essential to avoid technical complications. CONCLUSION: Minimal invasive treatment of pertrochanteric fractures with the PCCP reduces operation time and postoperative pain.

The "Clip U2", a new device in treating distal radial fractures.

Fracture of the distal radius is one of the most common lesions in the trauma practice. The relation between anatomic reconstruction, early motion and good or excellent clinical outcome, is well known. The "Clip U2", a new elastic pinning device used in the treatment of the distal radius fracture, promised to secure the reduction and to allow early functional treatment with a simple and minimally invasive technique. Convinced of the possible advantages of this technique, as presented to us by the inventor of the technique, we started a prospective trial in the setting of a university teaching hospital. Both the clinical and radiographic results were disappointing, so we were forced to abandon the trial after 14 patients. We present our clinical and radiographic data.