A comprehensive microbiological evaluation of fifty-four patients undergoing revision surgery due to prosthetic joint loosening.

The diagnosis of a chronic prosthetic joint infection (PJI) is challenging, and no consensus exists regarding how best to define the criteria required for microbiological identification. A general view is that culture of periprosthetic biopsies suffers from inadequate sensitivity. Recently, molecular analyses have been employed in some studies but the specificity of molecular analyses has been questioned, mainly due to contamination issues.

Improved comfort and function of arm prosthesis after implantation of a Humerus-T-Prosthesis in trans-humeral amputees.

The use of arm prosthesis in trans-humeral amputees is limited; due to the cone form of the amputation stump. A Humerus-T-Prosthesis was implanted in three patients to create artificial humerus condyles. Two of the patients were successfully rehabilitated with the application of a new type trans-humeral arm prosthesis.

Cortical allograft as a vehicle for antibiotic delivery.

Background: Infection can be a devastating complication after implantation of a cortical bone allograft. The allograft could act as a vehicle for local antibiotic prophylaxis.

Material And Methods: We studied the release of antibiotics in vitro from cortical bone allografts impregnated with antibiotics for different periods of time.

High local concentrations without systemic adverse effects after impaction of netilmicin-impregnated bone.

Background: When cancellous bone is impregnated with antibiotics the subsequent release of antibiotics from the bone shows a high early release. Hence, impaction of large amounts of netilmicin-impregnated bone may cause toxic netilmicin values in serum.

Patients And Methods: We studied kidney and otovestibular function after impacting 50 g of netilmicin-impregnated cancellous bone during revision hip or knee arthroplasty in 20 patients.

Release of netilmicin and vancomycin from cancellous bone.

First, we studied the effect of the following variables used for netilmicin- and vancomycin-impregnation of cancellous bone: a) antibiotic concentration of the impregnation fluid, b) time used for impregnation, c) pH of the impregnation fluid, d) the degree of bone morselizing and e) antibiotic combination. An increase in the antibiotic concentration of the impregnation fluid increased the amount of antibiotics released from bone. In addition, the amount of vancomycin eluted was also dependent on the time used for impregnation.