Diagnosis of periprosthetic shoulder infections (PSI) is difficult as they are mostly caused by low-virulent bacteria and patients do not show typical infection signs, such as elevated blood markers, wound leakage, or red and swollen skin. Ultrasound-guided biopsies for culture may therefore be an alternative for mini-open biopsies as less costly and invasive method. The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic value and reliability of ultrasound-guided biopsies for cultures alone and in combination polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and/or synovial markers for preoperative diagnosis of PSI in patients undergoing revision shoulder surgery. A prospective explorative diagnostic cohort study was performed including patients undergoing revision shoulder replacement surgery. A shoulder puncture was taken preoperatively before incision to collect synovial fluid for interleukin-6 (IL-6), calprotectin, WBC, polymorphonuclear cells determination. Prior to revision surgery, six ultrasound-guided synovial tissue biopsies were collected for culture and two additional for PCR analysis. Six routine care tissue biopsies were taken during revision surgery and served as reference standard. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV; primary outcome measure), and accuracy were calculated for ultrasound-guided biopsies, and synovial markers, and combinations of these.Aim
Method
In 10% of the presumed aseptic hip or knee revisions, a low-grade infection is unexpectedly diagnosed based on the tissue samples taken during revision. Extended antimicrobial prophylaxis can possibly reduce the failure rate in cases of unexpected PJI, because the prophylaxis can be considered as early empiric treatment. In this randomized controlled study we analysed whether extended antimicrobial prophylaxis compared to a single dose is beneficial to improve the outcome of treatment in unexpected PJI in revision arthroplasty. This study was nested in a randomized clinical trial comparing single-dose cefazolin with prolonged prophylaxis (15 doses of cefazolin over 5 days) for revision arthroplasty of the hip or knee. For this analysis, patients were included if an unsuspected PJI (defined as ≥2 positive intraoperative tissue samples with the same microorganism) was diagnosed. PJI treatment consisted of 12 weeks of a rifampicin-based regimen in Staphylococcal PJI, without removal of the prosthesis. We examined Infection characteristics and success of treatment after one year, defined as the absence of signs or treatment for PJI during follow-up.Aim
Method
Bone and joint infection requires antimicrobial treatment for 6 to 12 weeks. When patients are well prepared and instructed regarding their therapy, they are more likely to have less side effects and improved compliance. Although side effects are common, this coaching is often not routinely performed when oral treatment is given. We developed a monitoring and guidance program for our outpatients who are on long term antimicrobial therapy, in which we can early signal side effects and treatment failure and coach the patients in their journey of infection treatment. In our tertiary referral centre for orthopaedic infections, we started the outpatient monitoring of antimicrobial treatment (OMAT)- team for patients who will receive antimicrobial therapy for >2 weeks. Before discharge, our trained nurse gives instruction to the patient. Within 3 days after hospital discharge the patient is contacted by phone to, if necessary, clarify ambiguities in monitoring set up. During this contact, the nurse checks for side effects, addresses logistic problems regarding laboratory monitoring or future appointments and coaches patients for other questions. The patient is instructed how to recognize and who to contact in case of red flags and problems possibly related to the treatment. This is repeated after every laboratory check-up. Supervision is performed by an infectious disease specialist in close collaboration with the patient's surgeon.Aim
Method
Treatment recommendations for periprosthetic joint infections (PJI) include surgical debridement, antibiotic therapy or staged revision. In surgical related foot and ankle infections (SR-FAI), implant removal will lead to instability. Debridement is difficult because the implant is outside the joint. Recommendations regarding PJI treatment can therefore not be extrapolated to the treatment of SR-FAI. We searched PubMed for the etiology and treatment of SR-FAI, taken into account the time of occurrence, causative microorganisms and surgical treatment options. We integrated this knowledge into a treatment algorithm for SR-FAI.Aim
Method
Failed consolidation (nonunion) after foot and ankle arthrodesis is a major complication, which can lead to additional revision arthrodesis with increased risk of morbidity. Multiple factors can contribute to developing a nonunion, including a low-grade infection. The aim of this study was to investigate the rate of unsuspected low-grade infection in revision arthrodesis for nonunions after foot and ankle arthrodesis. We also analyzed the outcome of unsuspected low-grade infections. We conducted a retrospective study in The Sint Maartenskliniek, The Netherlands. All patients who underwent revision arthrodesis for assumed aseptic nonunion after foot and ankle arthrodesis between January 2020 and July 2021 were included. Patients were excluded if <5 tissue samples were obtained during revision arthrodesis or if they were treated for infection after the index arthrodesis. For the included patients, at least 5 tissue samples for culture were taken during the revision arthrodesis. The causative microorganisms, antibiotic susceptibility and treatment were assessed. An unsuspected infection was defined as ≥2 positive cultures with phenotypical identical microorganisms. Success was defined as union on imaging during clinical follow-up, without signs of persistent infection after finishing the antibiotic treatment.Aim
Method
Debridement, antibiotics, and implant retention (DAIR) is a widely accepted form of surgical treatment for patients with an early periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) after primary arthroplasty. The outcome of DAIR after revision arthroplasty, however, has not been reported. The aim of this study was to report the success rate of DAIR after revision arthroplasty with a follow-up of two years. This retrospective study, conducted at the Sint Maartenskliniek, Nijmegen, the Netherlands, included 88 patients who underwent DAIR within 90 days of revision total hip or total knee arthroplasty between 2012 and 2019. Details of the surgical procedures and PJI were collected. Univariate analysis and a subgroup analysis of the culture-positive group were performed. Kaplan-Meier survivorship curves were constructed.Aims
Methods
Success rate of debridement, antimicrobial and implant retention (DAIR) in high suspicion of early PJI after primary arthroplasty is 70–80%. No studies have been performed focusing on outcome of DAIR after revision arthroplasty of the hip (THA) or knee (TKA). The aim of this study is to investigate the outcome of DAIR in suspected early PJI after revision THA or TKA and to identify risk factors for failure. In this retrospective study, we identified early DAIRs after revision THA or TKA performed between January 2012 and August 2019. All patients received empirical antibiotics directly after the DAIR procedure. Antimicrobial treatment was adjusted to the tissue culture results. Success was defined as: 1) implant retention; 2) no repeated revision arthroplasty or supervised neglect after treatment; 3) no persistent or recurrent PJI after treatment and no administration of suppressive antimicrobial therapy; 4) survival of the patient. Infection free success was defined as: 1) no persistent or recurrent PJI after treatment; 2) no administration of suppressive antimicrobial therapy.Aim
Method
Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a feared complication of total joint arthroplasty of hip (THA) or knee (TKA). Debridement, antibiotic treatment, and implant retention (DAIR) is an effective treatment of early PJI. In the Netherlands, cefazolin resistance in early PJI after primary arthroplasty is low. Little is known about causative micro-organisms and resistance patterns in PJI after revision arthroplasty. No recommendations for empirical treatment are described in the current guidelines. The aim of this study is to describe the characteristics of PJI after revision arthroplasty and to evaluate whether the used empirical treatment regimens are adequate, based on microbiology data. In this retrospective study we included patients with early PJI after aseptic revision of THA or TKA, treated with DAIR between 2012 and 2020. Success rate was defined as implant retention and no persistent or recurrent infection during one year follow-up.Aim
Method
Long term use of antibiotics following surgical debridement are the cornerstone of PJI treatment. Due to increasing resistance of bacteria for many first line antibiotics new options are needed. One such option is linezolid known for its low percentage of resistance against many Gram positive bacteria causing PJI. Success rates up to 86% have been reported. At the same time many adverse events (AE) have been described including anemia, thrombocytopenia, gastrointestinal effects and sometimes neuropathy, e.g. irreversible vision loss [1, 2]. Therefore, linezolid use is advised to be limited to a maximum of 28 days. Literature about the effects of prolonged use is currently lacking and therefore this study will aim to determine the safety of long-term (>28 days) linezolid use in patients with orthopedic infections. We performed a retrospective descriptive study on patient records of orthopedic patients who were treated with linezolid between January 2014 and January 2019 for >28 days. Data were collected from medical charts including co-morbidities, pre-existing liver/kidney dysfunctions, diagnosis, treatment, type of prosthesis, pathogens, adverse events associated with linezolid use and follow up laboratory data.Aim
Methods
Prosthetic joint infections (PJI) caused by Streptococcus species are relatively common. The aim of our study was to assess outcome after treatment for early and late PJI with Streptococcus species after a follow-up of two years. For this study we retrospectively included all patients with primary or revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA) or total hip (THA) arthroplasty, a minimum of two periprosthetic tissue cultures positive for Streptococcus species and a minimum follow-up of one year. According to international guidelines patients were classified as having early or late PJI. All patients with an early PJI were treated according to a standard treatment protocol, i.e. debridement and retention of the prosthesis, followed by adequate antibiotic therapy. Patients with late PJI underwent a debridement followed by adequate antibiotic therapy or joint revision. Patients’ hospital records were reviewed and we evaluated the status of the original prosthesis after an infection. Forty cases were included; 24 early and 16 late PJI. For early PJI, open debridement was performed in all patients, after a mean of 19 (range: 9 – 80) days. At final follow-up 21 prostheses (88%) were still in situ and without clinical signs of infection. Eight cases (41%) of late PJI were successfully treated with debridement and retention. Nine patients (59%) underwent a one- or two-stage revision. At final follow-up 16 patients (100%) with late PJI had a prosthesis in situ. Streptococcus dysgalactiae species accounted for more than 50% of the early infections, followed by Streptococcus agalactiae with 30%. In case of PJI with Streptococcus species open debridement and retention of the prosthesis should be performed followed by adequate and long-term antibiotic treatment. As expected, the retention rate for early PJI is much higher than that for late PJI.
