Clinical outcome following conversion of Girdlestone's resection arthroplasty to total hip replacement: a retrospective matched case-control study

Total Hip Arthroplasty Following the Girdlestone Procedure in a Sickle Cell Disease Patient

Sickle cell disease often leads to avascular necrosis (AVN) of the hip joint, resulting in joint pain and restricted range of motion. In cases where traditional treatments like total hip arthroplasty or core decompression may not suffice, the Girdlestone procedure, involving the resection of the femoral head, is considered. This case study centers on a 19-year-old male nursing student with sickle cell disease who underwent a Girdlestone procedure at 16 years of age, seeking relief from hip pain and limited mobility. However, the procedure led to leg length discrepancy and reduced hip function. Subsequent total hip arthroplasty successfully converted the prior procedure into a stable joint, improving the patient's range of motion and eliminating pain. The comprehensive surgical approach, including soft tissue releases and postoperative rehabilitation, significantly enhanced the patient's quality of life, emphasizing the importance of total hip arthroplasty as a superior intervention post-Girdlestone procedure.

Is hip resection arthroplasty a successful definitive treatment?

Purpose

Hip resection arthroplasty as a definitive treatment is an uncommon indication, although still in use selectively. This study evaluates a cohort of patients who have undergone hip resection arthroplasty surgery indicated as a definitive treatment, in order to assess the rate of re-operation, the rate of infection, and the mortality rates.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective, observational, descriptive analysis of a cohort of patients who had undergone a hip resection arthroplasty intended as a definitive treatment, in two University Hospitals from 1994 to 2020. The exclusion criteria were the implantation of a hip cement spacer, or a temporary hip resection arthroplasty in patients undergoing a two-staged surgical approach. We found 26 cases of hip resection arthroplasty. We recorded the indications for a definitive hip resection arthroplasty, the outcomes and complications, and analyzed the success of the hip resection arthroplasty as a definitive surgery using a Kaplan-Meier curve.

Results

Seven cases (26.9%) required a re-operation after the hip resection arthroplasty, four cases for persistent hip infection, and in the three remaining a conversion to a total hip arthroplasty was re-considered due to a good medical evolution and non-tolerance to the low functional outcome. The mortality rate was 61.5% (27 days-20 years), with a 19.2% mortality rate in the first 5 years. All the cases that required another surgery after the hip resection arthroplasty were re-operated within the first 18 months.

Conclusion

Unfortunately, hip resection arthroplasty continues to show elevated re-operation rate and early mortality rate, as well as low functional outcomes. Two-staged hip revision arthroplasty is the surgical treatment of choice in patients suffering from a periprosthetic joint infection, however we believe that hip resection arthroplasty should be considered in fragile patients, who have endured multiple revision surgeries, or their comorbidities make them unfit from further surgeries.

Revision arthroplasty with megaprosthesis after Girdlestone procedure for periprosthetic joint infection as an option in massive acetabular and femoral bone defects

BACKGROUND AND AIM

To evaluate the clinical outcomes of patients treated with Girdlestone procedure (GP) or excision arthroplasty (EA) for periprosthetic infection with massive bone defects and undergoing revision arthroplasty.

METHODS

All patients treated with EA or GP for hip periprosthetic infection between 2014 and 2017 and sustaining revision arthroplasty (RA) were included in the study. Patients with less than 24 months of follow-up or less than 12 months between GP or EA and RA were excluded. Any sign of implant mobilization or periprosthetic fracture was assessed through X-ray. Patients were evaluated with D'aubignè-Postel hip score before RA and at the last follow-up. Mann-Whitney U test was used to assess differences between pre-RA surgery and last follow-up. P value was set as <0.05.

RESULTS

Twelve patients meet the inclusion criteria (mean follow-up 58+/-9.72 months). No radiographic sign of implant mobilization or periprosthetic fracture was reported. A significant difference was found for each parameter of the D'Aubigne-Postel score (p < 0.0001); none of the patients reached more than fair results in the absolute hip score. The difference between pre and post-operative global status showed a fair improvement. A significant difference was found for leg length discrepancy between pre and post RA (p<0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Conversion from EA or GP to RA in patients suffering from massive acetabular and femur defects is challenging; conversion procedure is able to reduce patients' disability and to improve walking ability. (www.actabiomedica.it).

Restoration of the hip geometry after two-stage exchange with intermediate resection arthroplasty for periprosthetic joint infection

Two-stage exchange with intermediate resection arthroplasty (RA) is a well-established surgical procedure in the treatment of chronic periprosthetic joint infection (PJI), whereby a higher failure rate of final hip geometry restoration due to tissue contraction is controversially discussed. The aim was to evaluate radiographic changes of hip geometry parameters during PJI treatment and to determine the impact of the intermediate RA on the final joint restoration after reimplantation of a total hip arthroplasty (reTHA). Radiographic parameters (leg length (LL), femoral offset (FO), horizontal/vertical acetabular center of rotation distance (h/vCORD)) of 47 patients (mean age: 64.1 years) were measured on standard radiographs of the pelvis and compared between four different stages during PJI treatment (pre-replacement status (preTHA), primary total hip arthroplasty (pTHA), RA and reTHA). The RA duration (mean: 10.9 months) and the number of reoperations during this period (mean: n = 2.0) as well as their impact on hip geometry restoration were evaluated. Between preTHA and pTHA/reTHA an equivalent restoration was measured regarding the FO (p < 0.001/p < 0.001) and hCORD (p = 0.016/p < 0.001), but not regarding the LL and vCORD. In contrast, analysis revealed no influence of RA and an equivalent reconstruction of LL (p = 0.003), FO (p < 0.001), v/hCORD (p = 0.039/p = 0.035) at reTHA compared to pTHA. Furthermore, RA duration (p = 0.053) and the number of reoperations after RA (p = 0.134) had no impact on radiographic hip geometry restoration. The two-stage exchange with intermediate RA does not alter the preexisting hip joint parameters, whereby a good restoration of the final hip geometry, independent of the duration or the number of reoperations, can be achieved.

Medical innovations to maintain the function in patients with chronic PJI for whom explantation is not desirable: a pathophysiology-, multidisciplinary-, and experience-based approach

INTRODUCTION

PJI is the most dramatic complication after joint arthroplasty. In patients with chronic infection, prosthesis exchange is in theory the rule. However, this surgical approach is sometimes not desirable especially in elderly patients with multiple comorbidities, as it could be associated with a dramatic loss of function, reduction of the bone stock, fracture, or peroperative death. We propose here to report different approaches that can help to maintain the function in such patients based on a pathophysiology-, multidisciplinary-, and an experience-based approach.

METHODS

We describe the different points that are needed to treat such patients: (i) the multidisciplinary care management; (ii) understanding the mechanism of bacterial persistence; (iii) optimization of the conservative surgical approach; (iv) use of suppressive antimicrobial therapy (SAT); (v) implementation of innovative agents that could be used locally to target the biofilm.

RESULTS

In France, a nation-wide network called CRIOAc has been created and funded by the French Health ministry to manage complex bone and joint infection. Based on the understanding of the complex pathophysiology of PJI, it seems to be feasible to propose conservative surgical treatment such as "debridement antibiotics and implant retention" (with or without soft-tissue coverage) followed by SAT to control the disease progression. Finally, there is a rational for the use of particular agents that have the ability to target the bacteria embedded in biofilm such as bacteriophages and phage lysins.

DISCUSSION

This multistep approach is probably a key determinant to propose innovative management in patients with complex PJI, to improve the outcome.

CONCLUSION

Conservative treatment has a high potential in patients with chronic PJI for whom explantation is not desirable. The next step will be to evaluate such practices in nation-wide clinical trials.

Complications of Resection Arthroplasty in Two-Stage Revision for the Treatment of Periprosthetic Hip Joint Infection

Little data is available regarding complications associated with resection arthroplasty in the treatment of hip periprosthetic joint infection (PJI). We assessed complications during and after two-stage revision using resection arthroplasty. In this retrospective study, 93 patients undergoing resection arthroplasty for hip PJI were included. Patients were assigned to a prosthesis-free interval of ≤10 weeks (group 1; 49 patients) or >10 weeks (group 2; 44 patients). The complication rates between groups were compared using the chi-squared test. The revision-free and infection-free survival was estimated using a Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Seventy-one patients (76%) experienced at least one local complication (overall 146 complications). Common complications were blood loss during reimplantation (n = 25) or during explantation (n = 23), persistent infection (n = 16), leg length discrepancy (n = 13) and reinfection (n = 9). Patients in group 1 experienced less complications after reimplantation (p = 0.012). With increasing severity of acetabular bone defects, higher incidence of complications (p = 0.008), periprosthetic bone fractures (p = 0.05) and blood loss (p = 0.039) was observed. The infection-free survival rate at 24 months was 93.9% in group 1 and 85.9% in group 2. The indication for resection arthroplasty needs to be evaluated carefully, considering the high rate of complications and reduced mobility, particularly if longer prosthesis-free intervals are used.

Risk Factors and Treatment Options for Failure of a Two-Stage Exchange

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Although a two-stage exchange revision is reported to have a high success rate, this strategy may fail as a treatment for prosthetic joint infection (PJI). When it does, resection arthroplasty, arthrodesis, amputation, and chronic antibiotic suppression may play a role. The purpose of this review is to determine which are the main risk factors for a two-stage exchange failure and to analyze the indications and results of resection arthroplasty, arthrodesis, amputation, and antibiotic chronic suppression for PJI.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent literature demonstrates that the main risk factors for a two-stage exchange failure are as follows: hemodialysis, obesity, multiple previous procedures, diabetes mellitus, corticosteroid therapy, hypoalbuminemia, immunosuppression, rheumatological conditions, coagulation disorders, and infection due to multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria or fungal species. Regarding microorganisms, besides Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus spp., Enterobacteriaceae species such as Klebsiella pneumoniae and Enterobacter sp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, or Acinetobacter baumannii, and fungus including Candida sp. are also considered risk factors for a two-stage exchange failure. Resection arthroplasty, arthrodesis, and amputation have a limited role. Chronic suppression is an option for high-risk patients or unfeasible reconstruction. In summary, we report the main risk factors for a two-stage exchange failure and alternative procedures when it occurs. Future research on patient-specific risk factors for a two-stage exchange may aid surgical decision-making and optimization of outcomes.

Resection Arthroplasty Compared With Total Hip Arthroplasty in Treating Chronic Hip Pain of Patients With a History of Substance Abuse

BACKGROUND

Retrospective comparison of surgical management of severe hip pain in patients with a history of substance abuse treated by modified Girdlestone resection arthroplasty (RA) vs delayed total hip arthroplasty (THA) following yearlong sobriety pathway.

METHODS

Patients were identified using charts, current procedural terminology (CPT) code query, and THA sobriety pathway registry. The primary outcome was adequate pain control following surgery, defined as visual analog scale ≤ 5 or verbal description of "moderate" or lower pain. RA patients with infectious arthritis were analyzed separately. The secondary outcome was the level of mobility after surgery.

RESULTS

In the THA pathway, 15 of 28 (53.6%) proved sobriety, 11 (39.3%) underwent THA, and 9 (32.1%) achieved adequate pain control (median 77 days). After RA, 19 (76%) achieved adequate pain control (median 119.5 days). Preoperative infection did not significantly affect time to pain control after RA (P = .94). Time to adequate pain control was not significantly different between RA and THA patients (P = .19). Three patients (30%) experienced improved level of mobility after THA and 7 (70%) experienced no change. After RA, 7 patients (29.1%) experienced improved level of mobility, 3 (13.6%) lost mobility, and 14 (63.6%) experienced no change. Three RA patients were later converted to THA without complication.

CONCLUSION

Yearlong sobriety pathway leading to THA leads to successful pain control in less than one-third of enrolled patients. Compared to delayed THA, RA enables more patients with substance abuse to be treated sooner and results in successful reduction of pain in a similar proportion of patients. RA may be an effective pain-reducing procedure for these patients.

Salvage Procedures for Management of Prosthetic Joint Infection After Hip and Knee Replacements

Background:

The increasing load placed by joint replacement surgery on health care systems makes infection, even with the lowest rates, a serious concern that needs to be thoroughly studied and addressed using all possible measures.

Methods:

A comprehensive review of the current literature on salvage procedures for recurrent PJIs using PubMed, EMBASE and CINAHL has been conducted.

Results:

Prolonged suppressive antibiotic therapy (PSAT), resection arthroplasty and arthrodesis were the most common procedures performed. Suppressive antibiotic therapy is based on the use of well tolerated long term antibiotics in controlling sensitive organisms. Resection arthroplasty which should be reserved as a last resort provided more predictable outcomes in the hip whereas arthrodesis was associated with better outcomes in the knee. Various methods for arthrodesis including internal and external fixation have been described.

Conclusion:

Despite good union and infection control rates, all methods were associated with complications occasionally requiring further surgical interventions.