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The timely and accurate identification of causative agents is crucial for effectively managing fracture-related infections (FRIs). Among various diagnostic methods, the "time to positivity" (TTP) of cultures has emerged as a valuable predictive factor in infectious diseases. While sonication of implants and inoculation of blood culture bottles with sonication fluid have enhanced sensitivity, data on the TTP of this microbiological technique remain limited. Therefore, patients with ICM criteria for confirmed FRI treated at our institution between March 2019 and March 2023 were retrospectively identified and their microbiological records were analyzed. The primary outcome parameter was TTP for different microorganism species cultured in a liquid culture collected from patients with confirmed FRI. A total of 155 sonication fluid samples from 126 patients (average age 57.0 ± 17.4 years, 68.3% males) was analyzed. Positive bacterial detection was observed in 78.7% (122/155) of the liquid culture pairs infused with sonication fluid. Staphylococcus aureus was the most prevalent organism (42.6%). Streptococcus species exhibited the fastest TTP (median 11.9 h), followed by Staphylococcus aureus (median 12.1 h) and Gram-negative bacteria (median 12.5 h), all of which had a 100% detection rate within 48 h after inoculation. Since all Gram-negative pathogens yielded positive culture results within 24 h, it could be discussed if empirical antibiotic therapy could be de-escalated early and limited towards the Gram-positive germ spectrum if no Gram-negative pathogens are detected up to this time point in the context of antibiotic stewardship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: This work aimed at answering the following research questions: 1) What is the rate of mechanical complications, nonunion and infection for head/neck femoral fractures, intertrochanteric fractures, and subtrochanteric fractures in the elderly USA population? and 2) Which factors influence adverse outcomes? Methods: Proximal femoral fractures occurred between 1 January 2009 and 31 December 2019 were identified from the Medicare Physician Service Records Data Base. The Kaplan-Meier method with Fine and Gray sub-distribution adaptation was used to determine rates for nonunion, infection, and mechanical complications. Semiparametric Cox regression model was applied incorporating 23 measures as covariates to identify risk factors. Results: Union failure occured in 0.89% (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.83 to 0.95) after head/neck fracturs, in 0.92% (95% CI 0.84 to 1.01) after intertrochanteric fracture and in 1.99% (95% CI 1.69 to 2.33) after subtrochanteric fractures within 24 months. A fracture-related infection was more likely to occur after subtrochanteric fractures than after head/neck fractures (1.64% vs 1.59%, hazard ratio (HR) 1.01 (95% CI 0.87 to 1.17); p < 0.001) as well as after intertrochanteric fractures (1.64% vs 1.13%, HR 1.31 (95% CI 1.12 to 1.52); p < 0.001). Anticoagulant use, cerebrovascular disease, a concomitant fracture, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, obesity, open fracture, and rheumatoid disease was identified as risk factors. Mechanical complications after 24 months were most common after head/neck fractures with 3.52% (95% CI 3.41 to 3.64; currently at risk: 48,282). Conclusion: The determination of complication rates for each fracture type can be useful for informed patient-clinician communication. Risk factors for complications could be identified for distinct proximal femur fractures in elderly patients, which are accessible for therapeutical treatment in the management. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2023;4(10):801–807.

Periprosthetic joint infections (PJI) and fracture-related infections (FRI) of the distal femur (DF) may result in massive bone defects. Treatment options include articulated silver-coated (SC) megaprosthesis (MP) in the context of a two-stage protocol. However, there is limited evidence in the literature on this topic. A retrospective review of the prospectively maintained databases of three Institutions was performed. Forty-five patients were included. The mean follow-up time was 43 ± 17.1 months. Eight (17.8%) patients had a recurrent infection. The estimated recurrence-free survival rate was 91.1% (93.5% PJI vs. 85.7% FRI) 2 years following MP implantation, and 75.7% (83.2% PJI vs. 64.3% FRI; p = 0.253) after 5 years. No statistically relevant difference was found according to the initial diagnosis (PJI vs. FRI). Among possible risk factors, only resection length was found to significantly worsen the outcomes in terms of infection control (p = 0.031). A total of eight complications not related to infection were found after reimplantation, but only five of them required further surgery. Above-the-knee amputation was performed in two cases (4.4%), both for reinfection. Articulated DF SC MP in a two-stage protocol is a safe and effective treatment for chronic knee infection with severe bone loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The timely and accurate identification of causative agents is crucial for effectively managing fracture-related infections (FRIs). Among various diagnostic methods, the “time to positivity” (TTP) of cultures has emerged as a valuable predictive factor in infectious diseases. While sonication of implants and inoculation of blood culture bottles with sonication fluid have enhanced sensitivity, data on the TTP of this microbiological technique remain limited. Therefore, patients with ICM criteria for confirmed FRI treated at our institution between March 2019 and March 2023 were retrospectively identified and their microbiological records were analyzed. The primary outcome parameter was TTP for different microorganism species cultured in a liquid culture collected from patients with confirmed FRI. A total of 155 sonication fluid samples from 126 patients (average age 57.0 ± 17.4 years, 68.3% males) was analyzed. Positive bacterial detection was observed in 78.7% (122/155) of the liquid culture pairs infused with sonication fluid. Staphylococcus aureus was the most prevalent organism (42.6%). Streptococcus species exhibited the fastest TTP (median 11.9 h), followed by Staphylococcus aureus (median 12.1 h) and Gram-negative bacteria (median 12.5 h), all of which had a 100% detection rate within 48 h after inoculation. Since all Gram-negative pathogens yielded positive culture results within 24 h, it could be discussed if empirical antibiotic therapy could be de-escalated early and limited towards the Gram-positive germ spectrum if no Gram-negative pathogens are detected up to this time point in the context of antibiotic stewardship.

Introduction: Fracture-related infections (FRIs) are challenging for orthopedic surgeons, as conventional surgical treatment and systemic antimicrobial therapy cannot completely control local infections. Continuous local antibiotic perfusion (CLAP) is a novel and innovative therapy for bone and soft-tissue infections, and is expected to eradicate biofilms by maintaining a sustained high concentration of antimicrobial agents at the infected site. If CLAP therapy can eradicate infection even in cases with implants while preserving the implants, it would be an ideal and effective treatment for local refractory infections. This study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of novel CLAP therapy for FRIs. Methods: Nine patients treated with CLAP therapy were retrospectively analyzed. The mean age was 65.9 (43–82) years, and the mean follow-up period was 14.9 (6–45) months. In all cases, the infected sites were related to the lower extremities (tibia, n = 6; fibula, n = 1; hip joint, n = 1; foot, n = 1). All patients underwent similar procedures for this therapy combined with negative-pressure wound therapy after thorough irrigation and debridement of infected tissues. Results: The pathogens identified were Staphylococcus aureus (methicillin-resistant S. aureus, n = 5; methicillin-susceptible S. aureus, n = 1), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 3), Enterococcus faecalis (n = 2), Corynebacterium (n = 1), and Enterobacter (n = 1); pathogens were not detected in one case. The mean duration of CLAP was 17.0 (7–35) days. In all cases, implants were preserved until bone union was achieved. Five cases relapsed; however, infection was finally suppressed in all cases by repeating this method. No side effects were observed. Conclusion: This novel case series presents treatment outcomes using CLAP therapy for FRIs. This method has the potential to control the infection without removing the implants, because of the sustained high concentration of antimicrobial agents at the infected site, and could be a valuable treatment option for refractory FRIs with implants, in which bone union has not been achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The treatment of fracture- or non-union-related infections has persistently been a major challenge for both patients and treating surgeons. With rising aging of patients and increasing comorbidities, combined with the heterogeneity of germs and any number of multi-resistance against standard antibiotics, a successful treatment is increasingly difficult. One potential solution could be a custom-made individualized antibacterial coating of standard implants with a biphasic degradable biocarrier (Cerament G/V, supplied by Bonesupport AB, Lund, Sweden) that releases high doses of antibiotics around the bone-implant-interface. Here, we describe our technique of coating intramedullary nails, plates and press-fit shoulder endoprostheses which may prevent bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation. So far, there is very limited experience in individual coating of implants in hip or knee endoprostheses to prevent reoccurrence of surgical-site infection. Currently, no reports are available for coating of stems of shoulder prosthesis and nails or plates for fracture fixation.Methods: Here, we show our first experiences with a new individualized surgical technique of coating these implants with a resorbable antibiotic-loaded hydroxyapatite/calcium sulphate biocomposite to prevent biofilm formation and thereby recurrence of bone or joint infection. We describe three cases for coating of plates and nails for fracture fixation and coating of stems of a shoulder prosthesis.Results: No adverse events of the resorbable bone graft substitute were observed. In all of the cases, no recurrence of the infection was observed and osseointegration was achieved. After implant coating of the shoulder prosthesis, no radiological signs of loosening were detected.Conclusion: We present a new surgical approach of a surface coating of plates, intramedullary nails or prostheses. The osteoconductive- and anti-inflammatory effect of the gentamicin- or vancomycin-loaded hydroxyapatite/calcium sulphate bone graft substitutes shows promising results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: This observational cross-sectional study aimed to answer the following questions: 1) how has nonunion incidence developed from 2009 to 2019 in a nationwide cohort; 2) what is the age and sex distribution of nonunions for distinct anatomical nonunion localizations; and 3) how high were the costs for surgical nonunion treatment in a level 1 trauma centre in Germany?, Methods: Data consisting of annual International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-10 diagnosis codes from German medical institutions from 2009 to 2019, provided by the Federal Statistical Office of Germany (Destatis), were analyzed. Nonunion incidence was calculated for anatomical localization, sex, and age groups. Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) were determined and compared with a two-sample z-test. Diagnosis-related group (DRG)-reimbursement and length of hospital stay were retrospectively retrieved for each anatomical localization, considering 210 patients., Results: In 2019, a total of 11,840 nonunion cases (17.4/100,000 inhabitants) were treated. In comparison to 2018, the incidence of nonunion increased by 3% (IRR 1.03, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.53 to 1.99, p = 0.935). The incidence was higher for male cases (IRR female/male: 0.79, 95% CI 0.76 to 0.82, p = 0.484). Most nonunions occurred at the pelvic and hip region (3.6/100,000 inhabitants, 95% CI 3.5 to 3.8), followed by the ankle and foot as well as the hand (2.9/100,000 inhabitants each). Mean estimated DRG reimbursement for in-hospital treatment of nonunions was highest for nonunions at the pelvic and hip region (€8,319 (SD 2,410), p < 0.001)., Conclusion: Despite attempts to improve fracture treatment in recent years, nonunions remain a problem for orthopaedic and trauma surgery, with a stable incidence throughout the last decade.Cite this article: Bone Joint Res  2022;11(8):541-547.

Introduction : Diagnosing Fracture-Related Infections (FRI) based on clinical symptoms alone can be challenging and additional diagnostic tools such as serum inflammatory markers are often utilized. The aims of this study were 1) to determine the individual diagnostic performance of three commonly used serum inflammatory markers: C-Reactive Protein (CRP), Leukocyte Count (LC) and Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR), and 2) to determine the diagnostic performance of a combination of these markers, and the additional value of including clinical parameters predictive of FRI. Methods : This cohort study included patients who presented with a suspected FRI at two participating level I academic trauma centers between February 1 st 2009 and December 31 st 2017. The parameters CRP, LC and ESR, determined at diagnostic work-up of the suspected FRI, were retrieved from hospital records. The gold standard for diagnosing or ruling out FRI was defined as: positive microbiology results of surgically obtained tissue samples, or absence of FRI at a clinical follow-up of at least six months. The diagnostic accuracy of the individual serum inflammatory markers was assessed. Analyses were done with both dichotomized values using hospital thresholds as well as with continuous values. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to obtain the discriminative performance (Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic, AUROC) of (1) the combined inflammatory markers, and (2) the added value of these markers to clinical parameters. Results : A total of 168 patients met the inclusion criteria and were included for analysis. CRP had a 38% sensitivity, 34% specificity, 42% positive predictive value (PPV) and 78% negative predictive value (NPV). For LC this was 39%, 74%, 46% and 67% and for ESR 62%, 64%, 45% and 76% respectively. The diagnostic accuracy was 52%, 61% and 80% respectively. The AUROC was 0.64 for CRP, 0.60 for LC and 0.58 for ESR. The AUROC of the combined inflammatory markers was 0.63. Serum inflammatory markers combined with clinical parameters resulted in AUROC of 0.66 as opposed to 0.62 for clinical parameters alone. Conclusion: The added value of CRP, LC and ESR for diagnosing FRI is limited. Clinicians should be cautious when interpreting the results of these tests in patients with suspected FRI., Competing Interests: Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interest exists.