Abstract

BRANDARIZ, Rodrigo et al. Clavo endomedular recubierto con antibiótico para controlar la infección en una seudoartrosis infectada de húmero. Rev. Asoc. Argent. Ortop. Traumatol. [online]. 2019, vol.84, n.2, pp.90-98. ISSN 1852-7434.

Objective: To evaluate the efficiency of the antibiotic cement-coated rods (ACCR) to erradicate infections in infected nonunion of the humerus (INH). Methods: We included 11 patients with INH with a mean age of 48 years. The time from fracture to surgery was 25 months. The ACCR was impregnated with vancomycin in 9 of 11 cases. Follow-up was 54 months. Results: Methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was isolated in 5 cases. All patients received systemic antibiotic treatment for 7 weeks. Vancomycin was the most commonly used antibiotic. Time from ACCR placement to reconstructive surgery averaged 56 days [confidence interval range (CIR) 47-98]. After debridement and implant removal, the residual deformity of the nonunion was measured with dichotomous variables and classified into two groups: group 1, <2 cm (7 patients) and group 2, ≥2 cm (4 patients). No significant differences were observed between the number of days from placement of the ACCR to the development of the MRSA infection, compared to other pathogens [48 days (CIR 45-75) vs. 73 days (CIR 56-149) p=0.2002, Mann-Whitney U test], nor were differences observed in the size of the defect in those who developed MRSA or by any other pathogen (p=0.242, Fisher exact test). Reconstruction was performed with different techniques. Laboratory parameters were normal and cultures were negative. Fractures achieved consolidation without recurrence of the infection. Conclusions: ACCRs are an adequate treatment option for patients with an INH. The infection was controlled in all cases, which allowed for the secondary reconstruction of the nonunion.

Keywords : Nonunion; Humerus fracture; Antibiotic rod; Infection; Intramedullary rod; Reconstruction.

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