Incidence of Deep Infection in Aseptic Revision THA using Vancomycin-Impregnated Impacted Bone Allograft

The addition of antibiotic to cement is a frequent practice in aseptic revision hip surgery There is concern about adding vancomycin to cement due to potential effects on mechanical properties and prolonged elution of subtherapeutic levels antibiotic. Bone allografts can store and provide high levels of vancomycin to surrounding tissues. We analyzed the incidence of infection after one-stage aseptic revision hip reconstruction utilizing acetabular and/or femoral vancomycin-impregnated impacted bone allograft and a THA fixed with cement containing no antibiotic. We hypothesized that the infection rate may be similar to that reported in the literature following traditional impaction grafting using antibiotic loaded cement.

Seventy five consecutive patients (80 hips) with a preoperative Merle D’Aubigné and Postel functional score averaging 4.8 points were followed up for a mean of 36 months (range 24 – 59 months).

The incidence of infection was 1.25% (CI 95%=96.26–100%). A deep infection (thought to be haematognous in origin) occurred in 1 patient 2 years after the index surgery. The average postoperative Merle D’Aubigne score was 16.2 points. The last radiographic evaluation demonstrated a less than 5 mm acetabular migration and a less than 5 mm femoral subsidence in all cases.

Vancomycin-supplemented allografts restored bone stock and provided sound fixation with a low incidence of infection. This incidence of deep sepsis is similar to that reported with antibiotic-loaded PMMA but without the reported mechanical and pharmacological disadvantages.