Objective:To investigate the clinical effects of intermittent irrigation with povidone iodine for early postoperative infections of prosthetic joint.Methods:From September 2014 to September 2017, a total of 6 patients with early postoperative infections of prosthetic joint were analyzed retrospectively. They underwent one of three types of orthopedic surgery, namely femoral head replacement (FHR), total hip arthroplasty (THA) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA). These patients were treated with intermittent irrigation at the bedside instead of debridement. After extensive disinfection, the presence of pus and sinuses communicating with the prosthesis were detected with vascular forceps. Then, the specimens were taken for bacterial culture. Under the protection of the forceps, a needle was entered the joint cavity. Povidone iodine solution (50 g/L, 10 ml) was injected into the joint for irrigation. The intervention was repeated once every day. When the wound was fresh, no pus was observed with negative bacterial cultures for more than twice. The irrigation operation was stopped followed by dressing change until the wound heals. During the follow-up, six patients were observed for systemic and local infections, including body temperature, swelling, tenderness, fluctuations, exudation and sinus. At 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after discharge, the routine blood tests, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, liver and kidney function were tested. X-rays of the affected joints were examined to record the signs of infection such as prosthesis subsidence, loosening, osteolysis, and periosteal reaction. Harris/KSS joint function score and visual analogue score (VAS) were used to evaluate the hip or knee joint function. The iatrogenic injuries and complications were also recorded.Results:The follow-up duration was 42.1±13.4 months (24-60 months). Each case has been irrigated for 12.7±5.7 times (6-18 times). At the last follow-up, all patients achieved satisfied incision healing. No swelling, exudation, systemic and local infection was observed without signs of infection such as osteolysis, loosening of prosthesis and periosteal reaction in radiographs. The VAS scores at 1, 3, 6, 12, 24 months after discharge were all lower than those at the preoperative (4.67±0.82) ( F=24.79, P<0.001). The Harris scores of the 5 hip patients at 1, 3, 6, 12, 24 months after discharge were 70.00±8.92, 76.40±7.23, 81.40±6.07, 82.80±4.87 and 83.20±5.07, respectively. No statistical difference was found between them ( P>0.05). However, they were all higher than the preoperative Harris score (22.40±12.74) ( F=43.74, P<0.001). In a patient with TKA, the knee function was significantly improved after discharge. Before surgery and 1, 3, 6, 12, 24 months after discharge, the KSS scores were 50, 75, 80, 88, 90 and 90 respectively. No iatrogenic injuries, serious complications such as deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, severe liver/kidney damage or deaths were observed. Conclusion:When debridement is contraindicated or refused by patients, intermittent irrigation with povidone iodine may be a treatment method for patients with early postoperative infections of prosthetic joint.

Objective: To investigate efficacy of operation and non-operation treatment for hip fractures patients complicated with pulmonary embolism. Methods: A retrospective case control study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 18 hip fracture patients complicated with pulmonary embolism admitted to Dongyang People's Hospital from May 2017 to January 2019. There were 11 males and seven females, aged 59 to 96 years[(80.0±9.3)years]. There were 10 patients with intertrochanteric fractures, one with femoral subtrochanteric fracture and seven with femoral neck fractures. After diagnosis of pulmonary embolism, the patients were given anticoagulant therapy with low molecular weight heparin for at least one week. The re-examination showed that pulmonary embolism absorption improved and D-dimer did not increase. Eleven patients chose surgical treatment (operation group) with intramedullary nail internal fixation or artificial hip replacement. Seven patients chose non-surgical treatment (non-operation group) with skin traction. The Harris score of hip function was compared between the two groups. Visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to evaluate hip joint pain. At the last follow-up, fracture healing, prognosis of pulmonary embolism and mortality within 3 months were recorded. Results: All the patients were followed up for 3-22 months [(11.2±6.0)months]. At last follow-up, the Harris score was (92.1±2.2)points in the operation group and (28.8±18.8)points in the non-operation group (P<0.01); the VAS was 0 point (0-1 point) in the operation group and 3 points (1-3 points) in the non-operation group (P<0.01). At the last follow-up in the operation group, five patients obtained fracture healing after internal fixation, and among the six patients receiving artificial joint replacement, five patients recovered well except for one deceased patient. At the last follow-up, pulmonary embolism was absorbed and no recurrence of pulmonary embolism was found. None of the patients died within 3 months in operation group, while 14% of the patients (1/7) in the non-operation group died within 3 months. Conclusions For hip fracture patients complicated with pulmonary embolism, compared with non-operation treatment, operation treatment is more beneficial to restore hip function and relieve pain, with lower mortality rate within 3 months. Operation treatment is feasible for patients who showed improved absorption of pulmonary embolism and no secondary increase of D-dimer after one to two weeks of full anticoagulation treatment before operation.