The combination of systemic antibiotics and antibiotics impregnated cement in primary total knee arthroplasty in patients of rheumatoid arthritis--evaluation of 60 knees.
BACKGROUND
We evaluated the effect of combination of systemic antibiotics and antibiotics-impregnated cement in prevention of deep infection in primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in patients of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).


METHODS
Between 1993-2000, primary TKA were performed for 60 RA patients. Systemic antibiotics with cefazolin and gentamycin were applied in all the patients. Cefuroxime-impregnated cement was used for fixation of tibial and patellar components in all the patients; femoral component was fixed noncementedly in 45 patients (hybrid TKA) and cementedly in 15 patients (cemented TKA). The preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative courses were evaluated in detail. The mean follow-up period was 61 months (range: 24-108 months). The effect of cefuroxime-impregnated cement in the prevention of postoperative deep infection in primary TKA in cases of RA was evaluated.


RESULTS
Except 1 (1.6%) superficial infection, no other complication was noted. There was no deep infection, either.


CONCLUSIONS
Cefuroxime-impregnated cement combining with systemic antibiotics seems to be effective in the prevention of early or intermediate deep infection in primary TKA in patients of RA.
Liu
Hsin-Tung
HT
Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
Chiu
Fang-Yao
FY
Chen
Chuan-Mu
CM
Chen
Tain-Hsiung
TH
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000601:surgery*; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000379:methods*; D001843:Bone Cements; D002437:Cefazolin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002444:Cefuroxime / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D005839:Gentamicins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001843:Bone Cements; D005839:Gentamicins; D002437:Cefazolin; D002444:Cefuroxime