It is well described that patients with bone and joint infections (BJIs) commonly experience significant functional impairment and disability. Published literature is lacking on the impact of BJIs on mental health. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and the impact on mental health in patients with BJIs. The AO Trauma Infection Registry is a prospective multinational registry. In total, 229 adult patients with long-bone BJI were enrolled between 1 November 2012 and 31 August 2017 in 18 centres from ten countries. Clinical outcome data, demographic data, and details on infections and treatments were collected. Patient-reported outcomes using the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey questionnaire (SF-36), Parker Mobility Score, and Katz Index of Independence in Activities of Daily Living were assessed at one, six, and 12 months. The SF-36 mental component subscales were analyzed and correlated with infection characteristics and clinical outcome.Aims
Methods
This study aimed to evaluate the clinical application of the PJI-TNM classification for periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) by determining intraobserver and interobserver reliability. To facilitate its use in clinical practice, an educational app was subsequently developed and evaluated. A total of ten orthopaedic surgeons classified 20 cases of PJI based on the PJI-TNM classification. Subsequently, the classification was re-evaluated using the PJI-TNM app. Classification accuracy was calculated separately for each subcategory (reinfection, tissue and implant condition, non-human cells, and morbidity of the patient). Fleiss’ kappa and Cohen’s kappa were calculated for interobserver and intraobserver reliability, respectively.Aims
Methods
One of the surgical therapeutic options for periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) includes debridement, antibiotics, and implant retention (DAIR). Prognostically favorable criteria for DAIR include short duration of symptoms, stable implant, pathogen susceptible to a ‘biofilm-active’ antimicrobial agent, and intact soft-tissue conditions. Despite this, there is a proportion of failures after DAIR, possibly because the duration of infection is underestimated. With the hypothesis that the duration of infection correlates with the bacterial load, and hence, the bacterial load is associated with failure after DAIR, we aimed to investigate the association of bacterial load in the sonication fluid of mobile parts and clinical outcome after DAIR. From our PJI cohort (2010–2021), patients with DAIR (both palliative and curative approaches) were reviewed retrospectively. Patients with hip, knee or shoulder arthroplasties fulfilling infection definition, available sonication results, and ≥2 years follow-up were included. Sonication results were categorized in ≤ or >1000 cfu/mL. Univariate analysis was performed to identify predictors for DAIR failure.Aim
Method
We established a sampling workflow to receive tissue samples from patients requiring surgical debridement due to SA bone-and joint or soft-tissue infections. We developed a multiplex immunofluorescent staining protocol which allowed us to stain for SA, leukocytes, neutrophils, macrophages, B-cells, T-cells, DAPI and cytoplasmatic marker on the same sample slide. Further, distance of SA to cell nuclei was measured. Interaction of immune cells and SA on a single cell level was investigated with high-resolution 3D microscopy. We then validated our findings applying fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) on digested patient samples. Finally, we aimed to reproduce our Aim
Method
In 2019, specific diagnostic and antibiotic treatment recommendations for diabetic foot infection (DFI) and osteomyelitis (DFO) were introduced in our institution. They include principles on numbers of biopsies to obtain for microbiological/histopathological examinations, labeling anatomic localization, and antibiotic treatment (ABT) duration based on the aforementioned findings. ABT should be stopped after complete resection of infected bone. In case of incomplete resection, treatment is continued for 4–6 weeks. Two years after the introduction of these recommendations, we investigated the degree of implementation for hospitalized patients. Adult patients with DFI/DFO undergoing surgical intervention from 01/2019–12/2021 were reviewed retrospectively. Diagnostic procedures were assigned to each episode when performed ≤30 days before surgical invention. Chi-square and Mann-Whitney-U tests were performed where appropriate.Background and aim
Method
Perioperative myocardial infarction/injury (PMI) is a common complication in noncardiac surgery, contributing to postoperative morbidity and mortality. We aimed to identify the risk for PMI in periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) in comparison to primary hip (THA) and knee arthroplasty (TKA) and to non-PJI revision surgery. Patients undergoing primary/revision THA/TKA at a University Hospital who were eligible for the institutional PMI screening and response program were prospectively included. Revision arthroplasties were divided into 2 groups (PJI revision and non-PJI revision). PJI was defined according to the EBJIS criteria, and included DAIR, one-stage and two-stage revisions. Non-PJI revisions included partial and/or complete exchange of components. The primary endpoint was PMI, secondary endpoints were major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and all-cause mortality within 120 days.Aim
Methods
Musculoskeletal infection is a serious complication, however literature is lacking prospective data on its impact on mental health. The study aimed to assess mental health in patients with musculoskeletal infections and how they experience the possible mental and physical impairment. All patients treated in our unit for musculoskeletal infections between July 2020 and March 2022 were prospectively included. To assess specific patient reported outcomes the following questionnaires were used: World-Health-Organization Quality-Of-Life (WHOQOL)-BREF and the Veterans-RAND-12Item Health Survey (VR-12) for mental & physical health; Patient-Health-Questionnaire (PHQ-8) for depression symptoms; Generalized-Anxiety-Disorder-Scale-7 (GAD-7) for anxiety symptoms and Somatic-Symptom-Disorder-B Criteria Scale (SSD-12) for experience of mental & physical impairment. The surveys were conducted at baseline, 6 and 12-weeks and 1-year.Aim
Method
To classify Fracture-related Infection (FRI) allowing comparison of clinical studies and to guide decision-making around the main surgical treatment concepts. An international group of FRI experts met in Lisbon, June 2022 and proposed a new FRI classification. A core group met during the EBJIS Meeting in Graz, 2022 and on-line, to determine the preconditions, purpose, primary factors for inclusion, format and the detailed description of the elements of an FRI Classification.Aim
Method
Antibiotic concentration at the infected site is a relevant information to gain knowledge about deep-seated infections. The combination of antibiotic therapy and debridement is often indicated to treat these infections. At University Hospital Basel the most frequently administered antibiotic before debridement is amoxicillin in combination with clavulanic acid. Amoxicillin is a fragile beta-lactam antibiotic that brings multiple challenges for its quantification. As for many sample materials only little material is available, the aim of this work was to establish a sensitive and reliable quantification method for amoxicillin that only requires a small sample mass. We did not quantify clavulanic acid as we focused on the drug with antibiotic action. Usually discarded sample material during debridement was collected and directly frozen. The thawed tissues were prepared using simple protein precipitation and manual homogenization with micro pestles followed by a matrix cleanup with online solid-phase extraction. Separation was performed by HPLC followed by heated electrospray ionization and tandem mass spectrometry.Aim
Method
Prosthetic joint infections (PJI) and fracture related infections (FRI) are the most challenging complications in orthopaedic surgery. An interdisciplinary approach is mandatory not only to correctly diagnose and treat major musculoskeletal infections but also to address the comorbidities and impairments these patients are not rarely suffering from. Since, little data exists on cardiac complications following PJI and FRI revision surgery, this study aimed to investigate the risk of perioperative myocardial injury (PMI) and mortality. We prospectively included consecutive patients at high cardiovascular risk (defined as expected postoperative hospital stay of >24 hours PLUS age >45 years with pre-existing coronary, peripheral or cerebrovascular artery disease OR age >65 years) undergoing major orthopaedic surgery between 2014 and 2016. All patients received a systematic screening to reliably detect PMI, using serial measurements of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT). All-cause mortality was assessed at 30 days and one year. Multivariable logistic regression models were applied to compare incidence of PMI and mortality between patients undergoing septic revision surgery (for PJI/FRI) and patients receiving aseptic major bone and joint surgery.Aim
Method
Fracture-related infection (FRI) is a severe post-traumatic complication which can be accompanied with a soft-tissue defect or an avital soft-tissue envelope. In these cases, a thoroughly planned orthoplastic approach is imperative since a vital soft-tissue envelope is mandatory to achieve fracture union and infection eradication. The aim of our study was to analyse plastic surgical aspects in the management of FRIs, including the type and outcome of soft-tissue reconstruction (STR), and to investigate the long-term outcome of FRI after STR. Patients with a lower leg FRI requiring STR that were treated from 2010 to 2018 at our center were included in this retrospective analysis. STR involved the use of local, pedicled and free flaps. The primary outcome was the success rate of STR, and the secondary outcome was long-term fracture consolidation and cure of infection.Aim
Method
Although non-unions being one of the most common complication after long-bone fracture fixation, the definition of this entity remains controversial and varies widely among authors. A clear definition is crucial, not only for the evaluation of published research data but also for the establishment of uniform treatment concepts. The aim of this systematic review was to identify the definitions and different criteria used in the scientific literature to describe non-unions after long bone fractures. A comprehensive literature search was performed in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Embase. according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Prospective therapeutic and diagnostic clinical studies in which adult long-bone fracture non-unions were investigated as main subject were included in this analysis.Aim
Method
Preoperative diagnosis of fracture related infections can be challenging, especially when confirmatory criteria such as sinus tract and purulent discharge are absent. Although serum parameters, such as CRP and white blood cell count (WBC), showed poor accuracy in the literature, they are still often used in clinical practice. The European Bone and Joint Infection Society (EBJIS) defined evidence-based criteria for fracture related infection. Elevated serum inflammatory markers were regarded as suggestive criteria only, as the literature was of limited quality. This study assessed the diagnostic value of the serum parameters CRP, WBC and differential cell count in the diagnosis of fracture related infections defined by the EBJIS-criteria for fracture related infections. In this retrospective cohort study, 94 patients who underwent surgical treatment for suspected infected non unions after failed fracture fixation were included. Preoperatively, blood samples including serum inflammatory markers were taken. For this study, cut-offs of 5 mg/L for CRP, 10×10⁁9 cells/L for WBC, and >70% for the percentage of neutrophils were regarded as positive for infection. All patients had intraoperative samples taken for microbiology and histology. Analysis of diagnostic accuracy was based on the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC).Background
Methods
Alongside debridement and irrigation, soft tissue coverage and osseous stabilization, systemic antibiotic prophylaxis is considered the gold standard in the management of open fractures and considerably reduces the risk of subsequent fracture-related Infections (FRI). The direct application of antibiotics into the surgical field (local antibiotics) has been used for decades as additional prophylaxis in open fractures, although definitive evidence confirming a beneficial effect is scarce. The purpose of the present study was to review the clinical evidence regarding the effect of prophylactic application of local antibiotics in open limb fractures. A comprehensive literature search was performed in PubMed, Web-of- Science and Embase. Cohort studies investigating the effect of additional local antibiotic prophylaxis compared to systemic prophylaxis alone in the management of open fractures were included and the data were pooled in a meta-analysis.Aim
Method
Current guidelines for the diagnosis of prosthetic joint infection (PJI) recommend collecting 4–5 independent tissue specimens, with isolation of indistinguishable organisms from two or more specimens. The same principle has been applied to other orthopaedic device-related infections (DRI) including fracture-related infections. However there are few published data validating this approach in DRI other than PJI. We evaluated the performance of different diagnostic cutoffs and varying numbers of tissue specimens for microbiological sampling in fracture-related infections. We used standard protocols for tissue sample collection and laboratory processing, and a standard clinical definition of fracture-related infection. We explored how tissue culture sensitivity and specificity varied with the number of tissue specimens obtained; and with the number of specimens from which an identical isolate was required (diagnostic cutoff). To model the effect of the number of specimens taken we randomly sampled Aim
Method
The most challenging complications in orthopaedic trauma surgery are fracture-related infections (FRI). The incidence ranges from approximately 1% after closed fractures or joint replacement, to more than 30% in complex open limb fractures. Despite tremendous efforts with prolonged antibiotic therapy and multiple revision surgeries, these complications are associated with considerable rates of recurrent infections as well as permanent functional impairment. The primary aim for the clinician is to prevent infection, because once established, an infection is difficult to eradicate. The main reason for this is biofilm formation on the implanted device, which allows pathogens to protect themselves from host immune response and antimicrobial therapy. In open fractures with a considerable wound contamination and soft- tissue damage, systemically-delivered antibiotics may not reach sufficient local concentrations to eradicate the bacteria. Locally delivered antibiotics can overcome this problem by providing high local concentrations. Currently, several antibiotic loaded biomaterials for local infection prophylaxis and/or treatment are available. In this talk, next to the diagnostic challenges of FRIs, the currently available antimicrobial-loaded biomaterials will be described. Against a backdrop of increasing infection and antimicrobial resistance, the prudent use and availability of such materials will become even more important.
As well as debridement and irrigation, soft-tissue coverage, and osseous stabilization, systemic antibiotic prophylaxis is considered the benchmark in the management of open fractures and considerably reduces the risk of subsequent fracture-related infections (FRI). The direct application of antibiotics in the surgical field (local antibiotics) has been used for decades as additional prophylaxis in open fractures, although definitive evidence confirming a beneficial effect is scarce. The purpose of the present study was to review the clinical evidence regarding the effect of prophylactic application of local antibiotics in open limb fractures. A comprehensive literature search was performed in PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase. Cohort studies investigating the effect of additional local antibiotic prophylaxis compared with systemic prophylaxis alone in the management of open fractures were included and the data were pooled in a meta-analysis.Objectives
Methods
The aim was to investigate the value of quantitative histological analysis in the diagnosis of fracture-related infection (FRI). The clinical features, microbiology culture results and histological analysis in 156 surgically treated non-unions were used to stratify the likelihood of associated infection. There were 64 confirmed infected non-unions (≥1 confirmatory criteria; pus, sinus and bacterial growth in ≥2 samples), 66 aseptic non-unions (no confirmatory criteria) and 26 possibly infected (pathogen identified from a single specimen and no confirmatory criteria). The histological inflammatory response was assessed by average neutrophil polymorphs (NPs) counts per high power field (HPF) and compared to the established diagnosis.Aim
Patients and Methods
Antibiotic prophylaxis is critical for the prevention of fracture related infection (FRI) in trauma patients, particularly those with open wounds. Administration of prophylactic antibiotics prior to arrival at the hospital (e.g. by paramedics) may reduce intraoperative bacterial load and has been recommended; however scientific evidence for pre-hospital administration is scarce. The contaminated rabbit humeral osteotomy model of Arens was modified to resemble the sequence of events in open fractures. In an initial surgery representing the “accident”, a 2mm mid-diaphyseal hole was created in the humerus and the wound was contaminated with a clinical Aim
Methods
