Combination of Calcium Hydroxyapatite Antibiotic Carrier with Cement Spacers in Peri-Prosthetic Knee Infections.
BACKGROUND
Forty-six patients (38 females and 8 males) with infected knee arthroplasties were included in this study. In 31 patients (group A) an antibiotic-impregnated articulating spacer was used, whereas in 15 patients (group B) a combination of spacer and antibiotic carrier was used.


METHODS
All patients were reviewed weekly with laboratory examinations (white blood cell count [WBC], erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR], C-reactive protein [CRP]) prior to re-implantation. At a mean follow-up of 36 mo (range, 8-60 mo) no patient was lost to follow-up or had died.


RESULTS
White blood cell count and ESR showed no differences at any time interval. C-reactive protein values had a statistically significant difference between the two groups after the second week (third week p = 0.042) and group B had significantly lower CRP values at every checkpoint thereafter. The re-infection rate was 16.12% in group A and 6.6% in group B (p = 0.192).
1st Department of Orthopaedics, Athens University Medical School , General University Hospital Attikon, Haidari, Greece .
Vasileios I
VI
Sakellariou
1st Department of Orthopaedics, Athens University Medical School , General University Hospital Attikon, Haidari, Greece .
Olga
O
Savvidou
1st Department of Orthopaedics, Athens University Medical School , General University Hospital Attikon, Haidari, Greece .
Christos
C
Markopoulos
1st Department of Orthopaedics, Athens University Medical School , General University Hospital Attikon, Haidari, Greece .
Androniki
A
Drakou
1st Department of Orthopaedics, Athens University Medical School , General University Hospital Attikon, Haidari, Greece .
Andreas F
AF
Mavrogenis
1st Department of Orthopaedics, Athens University Medical School , General University Hospital Attikon, Haidari, Greece .
Panayiotis J
PJ
Papagelopoulos
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001168:Arthritis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D017886:Durapatite / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D004337:Drug Carriers; D017886:Durapatite