The use of an antibiotic-impregnated spacer block for revision of the septic total knee arthroplasty.
Through the use of an antibiotic-impregnated polymethylmethacrylate spacer block in two-stage exchange arthroplasty, the chronically infected total knee arthroplasty can, in most cases, be effectively salvaged.  In a review of 28 such consecutive cases by a single surgeon, all revised implants were retained except one which required arthrodesis.  In the remaining cases, mean Hospital for Special Surgery knee scores were 86, with mean total range of motion of 90 degrees .  All wounds healed eventually, and seven patients were thereafter able to undergo other total joint arthroplasties.  Advantages of this technique included maintenance of ligamentous balance as well as bone stock with weight bearing, local antibiotic delivery, and facilitation of reimplantation.
Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA.
M H
MH
Henderson
R E
RE
Booth
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D007720:Knee Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008768:Methylmethacrylates; D008875:Middle Aged; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000601:surgery*; D012086:Reoperation