Background. Well-fixed cementless stems are sometimes needed to be extracted in patients with complications including periprosthetic infection, stem-neck breakage or trunnionosis. The purpose of this study was to report the clinical outcome in patients undergoing re-implantation surgery following removal of a well-fixed porous-coated cementless stem by the femoral longitudinal split (FLS) procedure(Fig.1, Fig.2). Methods. We conducted a retrospective study and radiographic review of 16 patients who had undergone re-implantation following the FLS procedure to remove a well-fixed stem due to periprosthetic infection, stem-neck breakage or trunnionosis. The study group consisted of 2 men and 14women with an average age of 68.4 years. Mean follow-up was 33.1± 25.0 months. Operation time, intraoperative bleeding, complications, causes of re-operation and clinical score were evaluated and the Kaplan-Meier method was used to evaluate the longevity of the stem. Results. The average operation time was 272±63 minutes and intraoperative bleeding was 420±170 ml. Although postoperative dislocation occurred in 5 hips and sinking of the stem was found in 3 hips after surgery, no progression of the stem sinking was observed and the clinical JOA and JHEQ scores were both improved after re-implantation surgery. Re-implantation surgery with Zweymüller-type stems, which are shorter than those removed, revealed evidence of osseointegration of the stem without femoral fracture. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis of stem revision for any reason as the end point revealed 70.3% survival at 9 years (Fig.3). Conclusion. The FLS procedure is expected to confer successful clinical results without loosening of the stem, following safe extraction of well-fixed porous-coated cementless stems without fracture and will allow re-implantation with shorter cementless stems than those removed. For any figures or tables, please contact the authors directly

Purpose. Various approaches have been reported for the total hip replacement (THR). In recent years, a muscle sparing approach with low postoperative muscle weakness and low dislocation risk has been frequently selected. However, such surgery has a learning curve. Thus, at the time of switching from the conventional approach to such approaches, invasion or infection risk may increase with the operation time extension. The purpose of this study is to clarify the change of invasiveness or latent infection rate with the change in approach in order to select the cases safely at the beginning of introducing a new approach in THR. Methods. In facility A, THR was performed with Dall's approach (Dall), but 1 surgeon changed Dall to anterolateral modified Watson-Jones approach (OCM) and another surgeon changed Dall to direct anterior approach (DAA). In facility B, all 3 surgeons changed posterolateral (PL) approach to OCM. The subjects are 150 cases in total, including the each last 25 cases operated with the conventional approach and the each first 25 cases operated with a new approach (Dall to OCM: 25 + 25, Dall to DAA: 25 + 25, PL to OCM: 25 +25 cases). And, differences in operative time, intraoperative bleeding volume, postoperative hospital stay, and postoperative hemoglobin, white blood cell count, lymphocyte count, creatine kinase (CK), C-reactive protein (CRP) were investigated. Results. The average age of subjects was 64 years (31–87 years old), and there were 27 male subjects and 123 female subjects. In the change from Dall to OCM, only the postoperative hospital stay decreased significantly. In the change from Dall to DAA, the length of hospital stay and postoperative CRP significantly decreased, but the intraoperative bleeding volume increased. In the change from PL to OCM, the operation time, postoperative CRP and CK decreased, but postoperative Hb decreased. Cases with lymphocytes less than 1000/µL or less than 10% after surgery on day 4 are latent infection cases, and in such cases the operation time was significantly longer, the postoperative Hb was significantly lower, and the postoperative CK was significantly higher. However, such cases were not significantly increased by the change of operation approach. Conclusion. Introduction of the muscle sparing approach improved many items on surgical invasion, but some items deteriorated especially at the beginning of a new approach. In the early stages of introduction of the new approach, choosing cases without obesity and without lots of muscle volume may reduce latent infection

Introduction. Our department is responsible specifically for complex cases resulting from trauma. Our experience does not want to add what has been clearly demonstrated by multicenter studies on the efficacy of rivaroxaban but aims to demonstrate how the use of this molecule was effective also in mega-prosthesis and how it has proven to be flexible and safe in dealing with difficulties and surgical complications more common in such difficult cases. Materials and Methods. From January 2010 to date DVT prophylaxis in THR / TKR and revision was routinely performed with rivaroxaban. To date, in addition to first implant/revision in THR/TKR we treated over 30 cases of large segments replacements (large segments+mega-prosthesis) and we have not highlighted complications attributable to rivaroxaban. Discussion. We present in particular the medical and surgical management of three cases with a high risk of bleeding: a case of revision of total femur due to recurrent dislocation, one case of revision for early infection of a TKR and a case of traumatic acetabular revision for pelvicbreakthrough during rehabilitation. Conclusion. The major practical advantages found are: 1) the ability to choose when to start prophylaxis in relation to intraoperative bleeding Vs therapy that begins the previous day, 2) seeking the best prophylaxis for primary prosthetic and complex cases, the single-dose and pharmaco-kinetics/dynamic of rivaroxaban guarantee to be able to easily switch to a traditional prophylaxis in case of a need for further surgey Vs multi-dose of other oral drugs

Blood loss is a major concern in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) along with postoperative knee function. The present study explores the impact of tourniquet and closed-suction drains on blood loss as well as knee function in TKA. A prospective clinical trial was conducted on 111 patients admitted for TKA. Subjects were divided into three groups based on duration of tourniquet use (T+: whole-course tourniquet, T-: cementation only tourniquet) and usage of closed-suction drain (D+: drain use, D-: no drain). Thirty-six subjects were included in group T+D+, 42 in T-D+ and 33 in T-D-. Data from study population was analysed for pre and post-operative hemoglobin level (Hb), perioperative and total blood loss, blood transfusion rates, knee range of motion (ROM), and pain level assessment. Direct and indirect costs associated to nursing time and drains were calculated. Results are presented in mean ± SD. No statistically significant differences were observed among the three groups (T+D+, T-D+ and T-D-) concerning total blood lost (calculated using Gross' formula), Hb levels over the first six postoperative weeks, blood transfusion rates and intra-articular hematomas. Intraoperative bleeding was significantly reduced in T+ subjects compared to T- subjects (100 ± 88 mL vs. 279 ± 235 mL respectively, p < 0.001), yet length of surgery was unaffected by the different tourniquet inflation strategies. Hidden blood loss was lower in D+ subjects compared to D- subjects (1161 ± 554 mL vs. 1667 ± 554 mL respectively, p < 0.001), but it was compensated by the blood loss in the drains. Early post operative ROM (flexion: 79.1 ± 14.8°, extension: −5.0 ± 6.7°) was superior in group T-D- compared to group T+D+ (flexion: 71.9 ± 17.1°, p = 0.071°; extension: −9.9 ± 6.4°, p = 0.004). Nevertheless, ROM six weeks postoperative was not statistically different between groups (flexion: 114.0 ± 13.3°, extension: 0.4 ± 5.2°). Patient-reported postoperative pain was also similar in all groups. Nursing time dedicated to drain management was 30 min/patient (330h total for 660 patients/year). Total costs related to drains were $31.92CAD/patient ($21,067CAD total for 660 patients/year). Our results suggest that whole-course tourniquet and closed-suction drain use in TKA do not yield beneficial results in total blood loss, blood transfusion rates, complication rates and knee rehabilitation. Their clinical relevance in TKA is questionable. Moreover, nursing time and costs related to drains should have been allocated elsewhere in patient care

Introduction. The purpose of this study was to introduce our perioperative prophylaxis method for infection and clarify surgical site infection rate in our patients performed total hip arthroplasty (THA). Method. Two hundred and eighty four THA (including revision 18 cases) performed by single surgeon between Oct. 2007 and Jan. 2013 were evaluated. The mean age of patients was 65.7 years old. The male to female ratio was 46 to 238. BMI was 23.6. Ninety patients (32%) were compromised host suffering from diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune disease, history of malignant tumor, hemodialysis or skin disease at surgical site respectively. At preoperative period, we checked decayed tooth, alveolar pyorrhea, hemorrhoids, and leg skin condition. In addition, we examined culture of nasal cavity. At the day of surgery, patient took a shower just before entering surgical room. All of THA was performed in clean room NASA class 100. Surgeons and assistant nurse put on nonwoven fabric gown, space suit and double rubber gloves. We wiped surgical site leg by gauze impregnated by 0.5% chlorhexidine alchohol to eliminate skin bacteria twice just before surgeons scrubbing hands. Surgical site was covered by povidone iodine containing drape. Surgeons or nurse changed gloves when glove was broken at each time. We cleaned surgical field by pulse washer whenever necessary. We did not use drain except for 5 revision THAs. Regarding to prophylactic antibiotics usage, we administered cefcapene pivoxil orally the day before surgery. Drip infusion antibiotics (PIPC: until Oct. 2008, CEZ: after Oct. 2008) was administered at the period of 30 min. before surgery and 4 hours after surgery in case of prolonged surgical time (4 hours >). Skin closure was performed by staple and covered by gauze until May 2010. After that, we used surgical tape and transparent water proof sheet. After finishing surgery, antibiotic was administered 8 hours interval at surgery day and 12 hours interval for additional two days. In case multi-drug resistant bacteria (MRSA, MRSE) was positive in nasal culture, we applied mupirocin ointment to nasal cavity for 3 days before surgery and administered vancomycin (from Aug. 2011) or linezolid (from 2012) for prophylactic antibiotics in perioperative period. Results. Multi-drug resistant bacteria was detected from nasal cavity in 23 patients (8%). The mean operation time was 194 min (due to education for young surgeon). Intraoperative bleeding was 598g. Length of skin incision was 13.6 cm. Intraoperative wash volume was 4500 ml. The infection rate were 0 % in early period and 0.7 % (two case) in late period respectively. One infected case was 75 years old female. Deep infection was occurred 3 years after surgery. She was administered steroid and immunosuppressive drug due to metal allergy after total knee arthroplasty. The other case was 64 years old female. Superficial infection happened 3 months after THA. The patient was suffered from collagen disease and diabetes. Conclusion. Our prophylaxis method for surgical site infection of THA achieved 0 % in early infection and 0.7% late chronic infection respectively