Abstract
Despite modern surgical techniques, reported rates of deep infection following Total Knee Replacement (TKR) persist between 1–2.5%. Coagulase-negative staphylococcus (CNS) has become the most common causative organism, and while growth of CNS is more indolent thanstaphylococcus aureus, it has a relatively higher minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against cephalosporins. Tissue concentrations of prophylactic antibiotics may fall below this level during TKR with conventional ‘systemic’ dosing.
Regional administration of prophylactic antibiotics via a foot vein following tourniquet inflation has been shown to provide tissue concentrations approximately 10 times higher than systemic dosing, however cannulation of a foot vein is difficult, time consuming, and may compromise sterility.
Intraosseous cannulation offers an alternative method of accessing the vascular system, and the aim of this study was to assess its effectiveness in administration of prophylactic antibiotics. 22 patients undergoing primary total knee arthroplasty were randomised into two groups. Group 1 received 1g of cephazolin systemically 10 minutes prior to tourniquet inflation. In Group 2 the EZ-IO tibial cannulation system was used, and 1g of cephazolin was administered intraosseously in 200ml of normal saline following tourniquet inflation and prior to skin incision. Subcutaneous fat and femoral bone samples were taken at set intervals during the procedure, and antibiotic concentrations measured using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC).
There were no significant differences in patient demographics, comorbidities, or physical parameters between groups. The overall mean tissue concentration of cephazolin in subcutaneous fat was 185.9μg/g in the intraosseous group and 10.6μg/g in the systemic group (p<0.01). The mean tissue concentration in bone was 129.9 μg/g in the intraosseous group and 11.4μg/g in the systemic group (p<0.01). These differences were consistent across all sample time points throughout the procedure. No complications occurred in either group.
Intraosseous regional administration can achieve tissue levels of antibiotic over an order of magnitude higher than systemic administration. Further work is required to determine if there is clinical benefit in preventing infection, particularly against CNS. This novel mode of drug administration may also have other applications, allowing ‘surgical site delivery’ of medication while minimising systemic side effects.
