Short-term results of a new self-locking cementless femoral stem: a prospective cohort study of the Lima MasterSL

Background: Total hip arthroplasty is a successful treatment for hip osteoarthritis. Primary and secondary implant fixation is dependent on implant design and plays an important role in the longevity of an implant. In this study, we assessed the self-locking cementless MasterSL femoral stem. Materials and methods: In this single-centre prospective study, 50 consecutive hips with the indication for total hip arthroplasty, who met the inclusion criteria, received the MasterSL stem from LIMA Corporate. Patients had pre- and post-operative clinical and radiological assessment and completed patient-reported outcome measures [Oxford Hip Score (OHS), Harris Hip Score (HHS) and Forgotten Joint Score (FJS)] at the 6-week and 6-, 12- and 24-month mark. Post-operative X-rays were assessed for osteointegration (Engh Score), alignment and subsidence. Results: After 2 years, aseptic survival was 100%. One hip had to be explanted due to early deep infection and was excluded from the study. At 2 years, the patients reported a significant improved HHS and OHS of 95.3 ± 5.8 and 46.1 ± 3.6 (mean ± standard deviation), respectively, compared to preoperatively. The mean ± standard deviation for the FJS was 86.4 ± 18.7 with two-thirds of the patients reporting a score above 85. The mean Engh score is 15.1 ± 5.9 (mean ± standard deviation) with no patient scoring below 1 which suggests good osteointegration in all femoral stems. Conclusions: The MasterSL femoral stem performed well in this short-term follow-up study, with high patient satisfaction and good signs of osteointegration. Long-term follow-up will be necessary to evaluate longevity

Evaluation of bacteriophage as an adjunct therapy for treatment of peri-prosthetic joint infection caused by Staphylococcus aureus

Phage therapy offers a potential alternate strategy for the treatment of peri-prosthetic joint infection (PJI), particularly where limited effective antibiotics are available. We undertook preclinical trials to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of a phage cocktail, alone and in combination with vancomycin, to reduce bacterial numbers within the infected joint using a clinically-relevant model of Staphylococcus aureus-induced PJI. Infected animals were randomised to 4 treatment groups, with treatment commencing 21-days post-surgery: bacteriophage alone, vancomycin alone, bacteriophage and vancomycin, and sham. At day 28 post-surgery, animals were euthanised for microbiological and immunological assessment of implanted joints. Treatment with phage alone or vancomycin alone, led to 5-fold and 6.2-fold reductions, respectively in bacterial load within peri-implant tissue compared to shamtreated animals. Compared to sham-treated animals, a 22.5-fold reduction in S. aureus burden was observed within joint tissue of animals that were administered phage in combination with vancomycin, corresponding with decreased swelling in the implanted knee. Microbiological data were supported by evidence of decreased inflammation within the joints of animals administered phage in combination with vancomycin, compared to sham-treated animals. Our findings provide further support for phage therapy as a tolerable and effective adjunct treatment for PJI

Controlled study of inline radiofrequency coagulation-assisted partial nephrectomy in sheep

Background. Primary or secondary tumors of kidney often are managed by partial nephrectomy. Intraoperative blood loss can be significant. Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy may be even more challenging. We developed the Inline radiofrequency coagulation (ILRFA) probe for liver surgery. It uses radiofrequency energy to make a linear coagulative plane and considerably reduces bleeding during parenchymal transection. In this study we tested the efficiency of ILRFA in ovine kidney

Controlled study of inline radiofrequency ablation (ILRFA) assisted transection of ovine liver

Background. Liver resection is now a standard treatment for primary and secondary hepatic tumors around the world. Intra-operative blood loss during liver resection is a major factor associated with morbidity and mortality. We have developed a new instrument using radiofrequency energy (ILRFA), which is intended to achieve coagulative ablation in a plane. This plane can then be cut through with a scalpel, ultrasonic dissector, or diathermy with minimal blood loss