Trends in the treatment of orthopaedic prosthetic infections

The most commonly used therapy for prosthetic joint infection is a two-stage prosthetic exchange separated by 6 weeks of intravenous antibiotic therapy. This often results in long periods of hospitalization, morbidity, severe functional impairment and sometimes increased mortality. Therefore novel and challenging therapeutic approaches have been attempted, particularly in hip prosthetic infection. This includes, whenever possible, according to the type of microorganism, antibacterial susceptibility and clinical presentation (including age and comorbidities): (i) less aggressive surgical techniques (debridement and prosthesis retention, or re-implantation with a single-stage exchange arthroplasty); and (ii) antibiotic combinations active against biofilm-associated bacteria, including rifampicin (particularly with quinolones) with excellent bio-availability which allow prolonged and efficient oral therap

Risk factors for post-traumatic osteoarthritis of the ankle: an eighteen year follow-up study

Purpose: Long-term studies evaluating risk factors for development of ankle osteoarthritis (OA) following malleolar fractures are sparse. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study including consecutive patients treated by open reduction and internal fixation for malleolar fracture between January 1988 and December 1997. Perioperative information was obtained retrospectively. Patients were evaluated clinically and radiographically 12-22years postoperatively. Radiographic ankle OA was determined on standardised radiographs using the Kellgren and Lawrence scale (grade 3-4 = advanced OA). Uni- and multivariate regression analyses were performed to determine risk factors for OA. Results: During the inclusion period, 373 fractures (372 patients; 9% Weber A, 58% Weber B, 33% Weber C) were operated upon. The mean age at operation was 42.9years. There were 102 patients seen at follow-up (mean follow-up 17.9years). Those not available did not differ in demographics and fracture type from those seen. Advanced radiographic OA was present in 37 patients (36.3%). Significant risk factors were: Weber C fracture, associated medial malleolar fracture, fracture-dislocation, increasing body mass index, age 30years or more and length of time since surgery. Conclusions: Advanced radiographic OA was common 12-22years after malleolar fracture. The probability of developing post-traumatic OA among patients having three or more risk factors was 60-70

Infectious olecranon and patellar bursitis: short-course adjuvant antibiotic therapy is not a risk factor for recurrence in adult hospitalized patients

Objectives No evidence-based recommendations exist for the management of infectious bursitis. We examined epidemiology and risk factors for recurrence of septic bursitis. Specifically, we compared outcome in patients receiving bursectomy plus short-course adjuvant antibiotic therapy (≤7 days) with that of patients receiving bursectomy plus longer-course antibiotic therapy (>7 days). Patients and methods Retrospective study of adult patients with infectious olecranon and patellar bursitis requiring hospitalization at Geneva University Hospital from January 1996 to March 2009. Results We identified 343 episodes of infectious bursitis (237 olecranon and 106 patellar). Staphylococcus aureus predominated among the 256 cases with an identifiable pathogen (85%). Three hundred and twelve cases (91%) were treated surgically; 142 (41%) with one-stage bursectomy and closure and 146 with two-stage bursectomy. All received antibiotics for a median duration of 13 days with a median intravenous component of 3 days. Cure was achieved in 293 (85%) episodes. Total duration of antibiotic therapy [odds ratio (OR) 0.9; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.8-1.1] showed no association with cure. In multivariate analysis, only immunosuppression was linked to recurrence (OR 5.6; 95% CI 1.9-18.4). Compared with ≤7 days, 8-14 days of antibiotic treatment (OR 0.6; 95% CI 0.1-2.9) or >14 days of antibiotic treatment (OR 0.9; 95% CI 0.1-10.7) was equivalent, as was the intravenous component (OR 1.1; 95% CI 1.0-1.3). Conclusions In severe infectious bursitis requiring hospitalization, adjuvant antibiotic therapy might be limited to 7 days in non-immunosuppressed patient

Remission after treatment of osteoarticular infections due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa versus Staphylococcus aureus: a case-controlled study

Purpose: Osteoarticular infections due to methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) or its methicillin-resistant variant (MRSA) are feared due to treatment failures. According to clinical experience, Pseudomonas aeruginosa may reveal less long-term remission than S. aureus. Methods: A case-controlled study comparing outcomes of osteoarticular infections due to P. aeruginosa vs S. aureus was performed at Geneva University Hospitals. Results: A total of 111 S. aureus (including 37 MRSA) and 20 P. aeruginosa osteoarticular infections were analysed in 131 patients: arthroplasties (n = 38), fracture fixation devices (n = 56), native joint arthritis (n = 7) and osteomyelitis without implant (n = 30). The median active follow-up time was 4years. The patients underwent a median number of two surgical interventions for P. aeruginosa infections compared to two for S. aureus (two for MRSA), while the median duration of antibiotic treatment was 87days for P. aeruginosa and 46days for S. aureus infections (58days for MRSA) (all p > 0.05). Overall, Pseudomonas-infected patients tended towards a lower remission rate than those infected with S. aureus (12/20 vs 88/111; p = 0.06). This was similar when P. aeruginosa was compared with MRSA alone (12/20 vs 30/37; p = 0.08). In multivariate logistic regression analyses adjusting for case mix, odds ratios (OR) for remission were as follows: P. aeruginosa vs S. aureus [OR 0.4, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.1-1.2], number of surgical interventions (OR 0.6, 95% CI 0.5-1.0) and duration of antibiotic treatment (OR 1.0, 95% CI 1.0-1.0). Conclusions: Despite a similar number of surgical interventions and longer antibiotic treatment, osteoarticular infections due to P. aeruginosa tended towards a lower remission rate than infections due to S. aureus in general or MRSA in particula

Duration of post-surgical antibiotic therapy for adult chronic osteomyelitis: a single-centre experience

Purpose: The optimal duration of concomitant antibiotic therapy after surgical intervention for implant-free chronic osteomyelitis is unknown. No randomized data exist. Available recommendations are based on expert's opinion. We evaluated the duration of post-surgical antibiotic treatment related to remission of chronic osteomyelitis. Methods: This was a retrospective single-centre study at Geneva University Hospitals with a minimal follow-up of two years after treatment. We used multivariate logistic regression analysis with exclusion of pediatric cases and of implant-related chronic osteomyelitis. Results: A total of 49 episodes of implant-free chronic osteomyelitis in 49 adult patients were studied. The median number of surgical interventions was two (range, 1-10). The median duration of post-debridement antibiotic treatment was eightweeks (range, 4-14weeks). Thirty-nine patients (80%) were in remission after a minimal follow-up of twoyears. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, one week of intravenous therapy had the same remission as two to threeweeks (0.2, 0.1-1.9) or ≥ 3weeks (0.3, 0.1-2.4). More than sixweeks of total antibiotic treatment equalled ≤ six weeks (0.8, 0.1-5.2). Conclusions: In chronic osteomyelitis in adults, a post-debridement antibiotic therapy beyond six weeks, or an IV treatment longer than one week, did not show enhanced remission incidences. Prospective randomized trials are required to confirm this observatio

Major-Effect Alleles at Relatively Few Loci Underlie Distinct Vernalization and Flowering Variation in Arabidopsis Accessions

We have explored the genetic basis of variation in vernalization requirement and response in Arabidopsis accessions, selected on the basis of their phenotypic distinctiveness. Phenotyping of F2 populations in different environments, plus fine mapping, indicated possible causative genes. Our data support the identification of FRI and FLC as candidates for the major-effect QTL underlying variation in vernalization response, and identify a weak FLC allele, caused by a Mutator-like transposon, contributing to flowering time variation in two N. American accessions. They also reveal a number of additional QTL that contribute to flowering time variation after saturating vernalization. One of these was the result of expression variation at the FT locus. Overall, our data suggest that distinct phenotypic variation in the vernalization and flowering response of Arabidopsis accessions is accounted for by variation that has arisen independently at relatively few major-effect loci

Suture mini-invasive du tendon d'Achille : un concept qui a fait son chemin

Rupture of the Achilles tendon is a frequent injury particularly among sports enthusiasts, and there has been an increased incidence over these past years which parallels the rise in popularity of sporting activities. Traditionally, an open operative repair of the tendon has been proposed. Over the past ten years we have utilized a mini-invasive technique with the help of instrumentation we have developed, with the objective to minimize the surgical trauma and improve the quality of suture fixation. These past ten years of observation have allowed us to objectively assess its clinical and functional benefit. This operative approach is in the process of replacing the traditional open procedure for the management of acute Achilles tendon ruptures in the majority of centers which manage these injuries

Hallux valgus : quel traitement ?

Hallux valgus deformity is characterized by lateral deviation of the proximal phalanx on the metatarsal head. Variable severity of the deviation causes prominence of the medial eminence, giving rise to a painful bunion deformity. Many patients will find permanent or temporary relief with non surgical measures. For those who failed conservative treatment, surgery may cure their symptoms. However unsatisfactory outcomes following hallux valgus surgery is not rare. Therefore a clear understanding of the pathology and of the patient's expectations must anticipate any treatment strategy in order to optimise patient's outcome. Cosmetic considerations should never be an indication for surgery