Properties and clinical application safety of antibiotic-loaded bone cement in kyphoplasty

[Literature review on kyphoplasty as a treatment for osteoporotic fractures of the spine]

BACKGROUND

Osteoeporotic vertebral fractures are one of the most common injuries in the elderly, with a prevalence of 10 to 15% in the population over 50 years of age. This type of fracture can be treated with minimally invasive surgery using kyphoplasty. The aim of this analysis is to show the advantages and disadvantages of treatment with kyphoplasty and to weigh up the different ways of performing this operation.

METHODS

The systematic literature search included randomized controlled trials and clinical studies in the period from 01/09/2018-31/08/2024. The updated 2020 Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines were used for evaluation.

RESULTS

A total of 16 studies from 4347 datasets were included. The most relevant outcome indices showed that the sole choice of surgical side (surgery from the symptom-dominant side) positively influences the VAS. In addition, the unilateral approach is recommended, as this is associated with a shorter operation time, as well as reduced cement volume and radiation exposure. Furthermore, bone density, different scores and certain biomarkers, such as NMID, beta-CTX and P1NP, can be positively influenced by the intravenous administration of zoledronic acid. PMMA bone cement loaded with gentamicin should be used as cement. Finally, drug treatment for osteoporosis and physical therapy are essential for postoperative recovery.

CONCLUSION

Surgical treatment of an osteoporotic vertebral fracture by means of kyphoplasty leads to improved results, even with the inclusion of additional therapies.

What Is the Role of Local Antimicrobial Protection for One-Stage Revision for Peri-Prosthetic Hip Infection?

The aim of this review is to investigate the effective role of local antimicrobial protection for one-stage cemented and cementless hip revision surgery. Twelve studies reporting the results of cemented single-stage procedures with a minimum two-year follow-up were reviewed. When pooling together the data, no infection recurrence was observed on average in 83.3% of the patients (a range of 75.0% to 100%). Only two papers included patients treated without the use of antibiotic-loaded bone cement, with an average infection control of 95.9% in a total of 195 patients. This figure appears to be better than the 80.7% infection control obtained by pooling together all the remaining studies. Concerning cementless one-stage revision, a total of 17 studies, reporting on 521 patients, showed an average of 90.0% (range 56.8% to 100%) no infection recurrence at a minimum two-year follow-up. No comparative study investigated cementless revision with or without local antibacterial protection. The pooled data showed an average infection control of 86.7%, without the application of local antibacterials, compared to 90.1% to 100% with local antimicrobial protection, depending on the technology used. No statistical difference could be found, either considering local antibacterial strategies alone or pooled together. No side effects had been reported by any local antibacterial technique. Local antibacterial protection for one-stage hip revision surgery, although safe and largely performed in the clinical setting, appears to still rely mainly on experts' opinions with no prospective or comparative trial, hence no definitive conclusion can be drawn concerning its effective role in one-stage hip revision surgery.

Interim Use of Antibiotic-Loaded Cement Spacer for Patients with Infected Cervical Fusion

OBJECTIVE

The management of postoperative deep infection after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) remains challenging for spine surgeons. Our institution uses handmade antibiotic-loaded cement spacers to treat these complex cases. This study aimed to determine the efficacy and feasibility of this treatment.

METHODS

This study included 4 patients with deep cervical spine infections after ACDF who underwent our treatment between March 2012 and January 2022. Patients' laboratory data, visual analog scale scores, comorbidities, complications, and neurological status were recorded. Their clinical conditions were also evaluated based on the Neck Disability Index, Japanese Orthopaedic Association score, and Odom criteria.

RESULTS

Infection eradication was achieved in all patients after treatment. The average preoperative visual analog scale score was 7.5 (range: 7-8); this decreased to 1.25 (range: 1-2) at 1 year postoperatively. None of the patients experienced severe complications, such as neurological deterioration or bone graft dislodgement. The Neck Disability Index improved from a preoperative value of 54% (range: 48-60%) to 6% (range: 4-8%) at 1 year postoperatively. The Japanese Orthopaedic Association score improved from a preoperative score of 10.25 (range: 10-11)-14.75 (range: 14-16) at 1 year postoperatively. All patients achieved excellent outcomes based on Odom criteria at 1 year postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONS

Good clinical outcomes were achieved in this study. Although 2-stage surgery is required, this technique could be an alternative for patients with postoperative deep infection after ACDF.

Efficacy of Antibiotic Bone Cement in the Treatment of Burkholderia cepacia Infection After Spinal Internal Fixation Surgery: Case Report and Literature Review

BACKGROUND

In recent years, the number of spinal internal fixation operations has increased significantly, correlating with an elevated risk of postoperative surgical site infection and a rising incidence rate. While the conventional treatment approach involves surgical debridement combined with antibiotic administration, there is a notable gap in reported strategies for Burkholderia cepacia infection and patients exhibiting multidrug resistance.

METHODS

Surgical site infection occurred in a patient following internal fixation surgery for thoracic vertebral fractures. Despite the application of systemic antibiotics and regular dressing changes, no improvement was observed. Bacterial culture and drug sensitivity experiments revealed a multidrug-resistant Burkholderia cepacia infection. Two comprehensive debridement procedures were performed along with continuous post-operative irrigation combined with antibiotic administration; however, no significant improvement was observed. The patient's infection was significantly controlled following treatment with vancomycin loaded bone cement.

RESULTS

Following spinal internal fixation surgery, the management of a B. cepacian infection with multidrug resistance presented a significant challenge, despite the application of debridement procedures and systemic antibiotics. In this case, after 20 days of treatment with vancomycin-loaded bone cement, the patient's C-reactive protein level decreased to 54 mg/L, was normalized by February, and normal levels were maintained in the surgical area 1 month and 6 months after bone cement removal.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of vancomycin-loaded bone cement proves effective in treating postoperative B. cepacian infection in a multidrug-resistant case following spinal internal fixation surgery.

Utilization of Antibiotic Bone Cement in Spine Surgery: Pearls, Techniques, and Case Review

Vertebral osteomyelitis (VO) encompasses a spectrum of spinal infections ranging from isolated mild vertebral osteomyelitis to severe diffuse infection with associated epidural abscess and fracture. Although patients can often be treated with an initial course of intravenous antibiotics, surgery is sometimes required in patients with sepsis, spinal instability, neurological compromise, or failed medical treatment. Antibiotic bone cement (ABC) has been widely used in orthopedic extremity surgery for more than 150 years, both for prophylaxis and treatment of bacterial infection. However, relatively little literature exists regarding its utilization in spine surgery. This article describes ABC utilization in orthopedic surgery and explains the technique of ABC utilization in spine surgery. Surgeons can choose from multiple premixed ABCs with variable viscosities, setting times, and antibiotics or can mix in antibiotics to bone cements themselves. ABC can be used to fill large defects in the vertebral body or disc space or in some cases to coat instrumentation. Surgeons should be wary of complications such as ABC extravasation as well as an increased difficulty with revision. With a thorough understanding of the properties of the cement and the methods of delivery, ABC is a powerful adjunct in the treatment of spinal infections.

Antibiotic Cement Utilization for the Prophylaxis and Treatment of Infections in Spine Surgery: Basic Science Principles and Rationale for Clinical Use

Antibiotic bone cement (ABC) is an effective tool for the prophylaxis and treatment of osteomyelitis due to the controlled, sustained release of local antibiotics. ABC has been proven to be effective in the orthopedic fields of arthroplasty and extremity trauma, but the adoption of ABC in spine surgery is limited. The characteristics of ABC make it an optimal solution for treating vertebral osteomyelitis (VO), a serious complication following spine surgery, typically caused by bacterial and sometimes fungal and parasitic pathogens. VO can be devastating, as infection can result in pathogenic biofilms on instrumentation that is dangerous to remove. New techniques, such as kyphoplasty and novel vertebroplasty methods, could amplify the potential of ABC in spine surgery. However, caution should be exercised when using ABC as there is some evidence of toxicity to patients and surgeons, antibiotic allergies, bone cement structural impairment, and possible development of antibiotic resistance. The purpose of this article is to describe the basic science of antibiotic cement utilization and review its usage in spine surgery.

Cementing technique for total knee arthroplasty in cadavers using a pastry bone cement

Background

In cemented primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA), aseptic loosening remains a major cause for failure. Cementing techniques and characteristics of a chosen cement play a key role for good fixation and implant survival. A pastry bone cement was developed to facilitate the cement preparation and to rule out most of preparation-associated application errors. The pastry bone cement was compared to a conventional polymethyl methacrylate cement in a TKA setting.

Methods

Standardized implantations of total knee endoprostheses were performed in bilateral knee cadavers to investigate handling properties, variables of cement application, working time, and temperature development. Mechanical aspects and cementation quality were assessed by pull-out trials and microscopic interface analysis.

Results

Both cements expressed similar characteristics during preparation and application, only the curing time of the pastry cement was about 3 min longer and the temperature peak was lower. Fractures of the conventional cement specimens differed from the pastry cement specimens in the tibial part, while no differences were found in the femoral part. Penetration depth of the pastry cement was similar (tibia) or deeper (femur) compared to the conventional cement.

Conclusions

The pastry cement facilitates the feasibility of cemented TKA. The pre-clinical tests indicate that the pastry bone cement fulfills the requirements for bone cement in the field of knee arthroplasty. A clinical trial is needed to further investigate the approach and ensure patient safety.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13018-021-02436-z.