Abstract
Introduction
Resistant organisms are difficult to eradicate in infected total knee arthroplasty, and treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is especially challenging. Whereas most surgeons use antibiotic-impregnated cement during revision to treat infection, the delivery of the drug in adequate doses is limited in penetration and duration. This study presents the 2- to 8-year prospective results of one-stage revision and intraarticular antibiotic infusion protocol used to treat MRSA.
Methods
Eighteen knees (18 patients) with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus were treated between January 2001 and January 2007 with one-stage revision protocol that included débridement, uncemented revision of total knee components, and intraarticular infusion of 500 mg vancomycin via Hickman catheter once or twice daily for 6 weeks. (Figure 1) No intravenous antibiotics were used after the first 24 hours. Serum vancomycin levels were monitored to maintain levels between 3 and 10 μg/mL. The mean serum vancomycin peak concentration was 6 ± 2 μg/mL and the mean serum vancomycin trough concentration was 3 ± 1 μg/mL at 2 weeks postoperative.
Results
Knee synovial fluid peak and trough vancomycin levels were measured in two knees. Synovial fluid peak concentrations were 10,233 μg/mL and 20,167 μg/mL and trough concentrations were 724 μg/mL and 543μg/mL, respectively. Minimum followup was 27 months (range, 27-75 months). Mean followup was 62 months, (range, 27–96 months). At 2-year followup, mean Knee Society score was 83 ± 9. No radiographic evidence of implant migration has occurred. One knee became reinfected with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and was reoperated at 5 months. A necrotic bone segment was found, the knee was debrided and revised, and the antibiotic infusion protocol was readministered. The knee remained free of infection at 42 months postoperatively.
Conclusions
One-stage revision with uncemented components and 6 weeks intraarticular vancomycin administration safely and effectively treated MRSA-infected TKA with no apparent complications.
