The preoperative prediction of success following irrigation and debridement with polyethylene exchange for hip and knee prosthetic joint infections.

Although the criterion standard for the treatment of prosthetic joint infections (PJIs) is 2-stage revision with interim placement of an antibiotic-loaded spacer, irrigation and debridement with polyethylene exchange offer advantages such as fewer surgeries, reduced potential for intraoperative complications, and lower direct costs. The purpose of this study was to develop a tool to preoperatively predict the probability of successful infection eradication following irrigation and debridement with polyethylene exchange for hip or knee PJIs. A total of 10,411 surgical cases were retrospectively reviewed, and data were collected from 309 charts.

The memory properties of cold-worked titanium rods in scoliosis constructs.

Study Design: Time series monitoring changes in titanium and stainless steel rod curvature kept at a constant temperature of 37 C as a function of time.

Objectives: To assess the possibility of loss of curvature in titanium rods after scoliosis surgery.

Summary Of Background Data: Titanium rods have gained use in scoliosis surgery due to their excellent biocompatibility, while allowing medical personnel to obtain undistorted magnetic resonance imaging scans following surgery.