Purpose: A spacer can be used for two-phase replacement of an infected total hip prosthesis. The goal is to facilitate reimplantation by avoiding soft tissue retraction. Several types of spacers can be used. We searched for a spacer which avoids wear debris due to methacrylate friction against bone, delivers a local antibiotic, is easily removed, and does not worsen bone damage. Since 1995, we have used a Charnley Kerboull type prosthesis as a spacer. The purpose of the present study was to 1) verify the absence of spacer-related complications, 2) assess outcome in terms of cure of infection and improved function.
Material and methods: We used 14 articulated spacers for two-phasee prosthesis replacement in nine men and five women, mean age 64 years. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate was 32 and C-reactive protein was 17. The mean Postel-Merle d’Aubigné (PMA) score was 3+5+2. All patients were reviewed at a minimum 37 months follow-up. Technique: The approach was generally a digastric trochanterotomy, associated with a more or less extensive femoral procedure (depending on the length of the plug to remove) to achieve removal of all implants and cement. A small-size polyethylene cup was inserted with cement delivering at least one antibiotic on a Surgicel bed to facilitate later extraction. A long small-diameter femoral stem was then inserted (bridging the femoral window) and blocked with cement, also on a Surgicel bed. Partial then total weight bearing was authorised between the phases.
Results: There were no dislocations. All patients achieved total weight bearing between the two phases. The same germ identified at the first operation was also identified at the second in two patients, requiring prolonged antibiotic therapy. There was one septic failure, in a different patient. The mean PMA score was 5.7+5.8+5.2.
Conclusion: This technique avoids methacrylate wear induced by classical spacers and does not modify polymorphonuclear chemotactism, facilitating the efficacy of medical treatment. Patient comfort is also improved between the two phases and muscle atrophy, which could compromise long-term function, is avoided.
