title: Using an antibiotic-impregnated cement rod-spacer in the treatment of infected total knee arthroplasty.
abstract: We present a new option for treatment of post-total knee arthroplasty periprosthetic infection associated with bone destruction and massive loss-use of an antibiotic-impregnated cement rod-spacer. This rod-spacer can be custom- made, at time of surgery, with Steinmann pins, intramedullary nails, Rush rods, Harrington spine rods, bone cement (polymethylmethacrylate), and antibiotics. We used this technique in 9 cases of periprosthetic infection over a 6-year period. The rod-spacer provided stable fixation across the knee, local antibiotic delivery, maintenance of the joint space, and preservation of soft-tissue tension around the joint through enhanced stability and length maintenance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery & Rehabilitation, Texas Tech University, Health Sciences Center, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, El Paso, Texas, USA. viantoci@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Valentin
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Antoci
authors.forename: Matthew J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.forename: Valentin
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Antoci
authors.forename: Kenneth A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Krackow
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D001843:Bone Cements; D003646:Debridement; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D006801:Humans; D007720:Knee Prosthesis; D008689:Methacrylates; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011859:Radiography; D012086:Reoperation
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001843:Bone Cements; D008689:Methacrylates