The Use of Antibiotic Impregnated Cement Spacers in the Treatment of Infected Total Joint Replacement: Challenges and Achievements

Document Type : CURRENT CONCEPTS REVIEW

Authors

1 Orthopedic Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

2 Department of Hand-Upper Limb and Microsurgery, Hospital KAT, Athens, Greece

3 Bone and Joint Research Lab, Orthopedic Research Center, Ghaem Hospital, Mashhad, Iran

Abstract

Two stage total hip arthroplasty revision surgery includes foreign material debridment, insertion of antibiotic impregnated
cement spacer, and finally, reimplantation of the prosthesis. This review has aimed to evaluate the efficacy of antibiotic
impregnated cement spacers in infection control and eradication in arthroplasties.
A total of 85 articles on total hip arthroplasty were used in this narrative literature review.
High concentrations of the antibiotic in targeted drug delivery by means of using antibiotic impregnated cement
spacers is effective against infections while reduces the side effects of systemic antibiotic therapy. This results in
prevention of bone and muscle atrophy as well as size discrepancy. Also, antibiotic impregnated cement spacers
reduce dead space and help stabilize the limb in total hip arthroplasty. Despite all reported drawbacks, antibiotic
impregnated cement spacers seem effective in eradicationg infections, although a consensus has not been yet
achieved.
Level of evidence: I

Keywords

Main Subjects

The Archives of Bone and Joint Surgery

Volume 8, Issue 1
January 2020
Pages 11-20

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History

  • Receive Date: 22 July 2019
  • Accept Date: 16 November 2019

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