With respect to the use of antibiotic cement for knee arthroplasty surgery, one high quality randomized controlled trial (RCT) of 2968 primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) patients showed no overall statisticallysignificant difference in infection rates, as well as no evidence for statistically significant reduction in infection rates involving infection with Stapylococcus aureus, Streptococcus species, Gram-negative bacilli or Propionibacterium/Cutibacterium organisms. A statistically significant difference was noted in rates of infection with coagulase-negative staphylococci for patients treated with Simplex P cement with erythromycin compare with non-antibiotic impregnated cement (Hinarejos, 2013). A moderate quality RCT of primary TKA using Simplex P with cefuroxime showed a reduction in deep infection rates with no significant difference in component loosening rates requiring revision (Chiu, 2002). A RCT of diabetic patients demonstrated no infections in forty-one patients where Simplex P cement and 2 g of cefuroxime was used when compared to 13.5% infection rate in 37 patients where Simplex P alone was used (Chiu et al 2001). Lastly, a RCT of knee revision patients demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in deep infection when Simplex P cement impregnated with vancomycin was compared to Simplex P cement alone, with no difference in component loosening (Chiu 2009).
Observational studies have shown conflicting results, with some studies demonstrating reduced odds of deep infection (Wu 2016), while others showed no difference or increased infection rates when antibiotic cement was used. (Dowsey, 2009; Namba, 2009; Taylor, 2016; Namba, 2009; Namba, 2013).
Most of the RCT evidence in favor of antibiotic cement comes from special populations (diabetics and revision patients) that are not widely applicable to the general primary TKA population, and the primary TKA studies do not support its use.
The importance of this recommendation regards the prevention of infection by using antibiotic cement as additional prophylaxis, which can have significant impact on patient function, and overall morbidity and health.
POSSIBLE HARMS OF IMPLEMENTATION
Indiscrimate use of antibiotic laden cement may have unintended consequences that were not specifically evaluated with this recommendation. Although the studies did not show increased risk of implant loosening, it is possible that cement with higher doses of antibiotics could increase risk of loosening by changing the mechanical properties of the cement fixation. Similarly, there is the potential for other effects such as antimicrobial resistance or increased costs to the healthcare system that should be considered.
FUTURE RESEARCH
Adequately powered randomized controlled trials assessing the impact of antibiotic cement on deep infection, implant survival and other patient outcomes are needed to determine which specific patient groups may benefit from this prophylactic treatment with total knee arthroplasty.
- Chiu,F.Y., Chen,C.M., Lin,C.F., Lo,W.H. Cefuroxime-impregnated cement in primary total knee arthroplasty: a prospective, randomized study of three hundred and forty knees. J.Bone Joint Surg.Am. 2002/5; 5: 759-762
- Chiu,F.Y., Lin,C.F. Antibiotic-impregnated cement in revision total knee arthroplasty. A prospective cohort study of one hundred and eighty-three knees. J.Bone Joint Surg.Am. 2009/3/1; 3: 628-633
- Chiu,F.Y., Lin,C.F., Chen,C.M., Lo,W.H., Chaung,T.Y. Cefuroxime-impregnated cement at primary total knee arthroplasty in diabetes mellitus. A prospective, randomised study. J.Bone Joint Surg.Br. 2001/7; 5: 691-695
- Dowsey,M.M., Choong,P.F. Obesity is a major risk factor for prosthetic infection after primary hip arthroplasty. Clin.Orthop.Relat.Res. 2008/1; 1: 153-158
- Hinarejos,P., Guirro,P., Leal,J., Montserrat,F., Pelfort,X., Sorli,M.L., Horcajada,J.P., Puig,L. The use of erythromycin and colistin-loaded cement in total knee arthroplasty does not reduce the incidence of infection: a prospective randomized study in 3000 knees. J.Bone Joint Surg.Am. 2013/5/1; 9: 769-774
- Namba,R.S., Chen,Y., Paxton,E.W., Slipchenko,T., Fithian,D.C. Outcomes of routine use of antibiotic-loaded cement in primary total knee arthroplasty. J.Arthroplasty 2009/9; 6: 44-47
- Namba,R.S., Inacio,M.C., Paxton,E.W. Risk factors associated with deep surgical site infections after primary total knee arthroplasty: an analysis of 56,216 knees. J.Bone Joint Surg.Am. 2013/5/1; 9: 775-782
- Namba,R.S., Inacio,M.C., Paxton,E.W. Risk factors associated with deep surgical site infections after primary total knee arthroplasty: an analysis of 56,216 knees. J.Bone Joint Surg.Am. 2013/5/1; 9: 775-782
- Taylor,T., Beggs,I. Fine needle aspiration in infected hip replacements. Clin Radiol 1995/3; 3: 149-152
- Wu,C.T., Chen,I.L., Wang,J.W., Ko,J.Y., Wang,C.J., Lee,C.H. Surgical Site Infection After Total Knee Arthroplasty: Risk Factors in Patients With Timely Administration of Systemic Prophylactic Antibiotics. J.Arthroplasty 2016/7; 7: 1568-1573