OBJECTIVE: To review the current research status on the diagnosis and treatment of fracture-related infection (FRI). METHODS: The research literature in the field of FRI both domestically and internationally in recent years were widely reviewed, and the research progress of FRI from the aspects of definition and classification, epidemiological characteristics, diagnosis and treatment elaborated, in order to provide reference for clinical practices. RESULTS: In recent years, specific classifications for FRI have gradually emerged. FRI is characterized by high incidence, high recurrence, high disability rates, and significant economic costs. Key diagnostic points include clinical signs and symptoms, imaging tests, serological biomarkers, pathogen identification, and histopathological examination. Treatment principles encompass debridement, management of implants (retention or removal), systemic and local antibiotic use, reconstruction of bone and soft tissue defects, and functional and psychological rehabilitation. CONCLUSION Although FRI is a catastrophic complication following limb bone trauma, early precise diagnosis and standardized treatment are key to improving cure rates, reducing recurrence, and enhancing patients' quality of life.
Humans ; Fractures, Bone/complications* ; Bone Diseases, Infectious/therapy* ; Debridement/methods* ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use* ; Orthopedic Procedures/methods*

OBJECTIVE: Spondylitis is often chemotherapy resistant and requires long-term treatment. Without adequate chemotherapy, the outcome can be fatal or result in severe neurologic damage. Therefore, differentiating the etiology of spondylitis is very important, particularly in spontaneous cases. As the prevalence of tuberculosis in Korea has decreased in recent years, updated clinical research about spondylitis is warranted.METHODS: From April 2010 to March 2016, data from spondylitis patients were collected retrospectively. In total, 69 patients (51 with pyogenic spondylitis and 18 with tuberculous spondylitis) were included. Clinical data, laboratory findings including erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) level, measurements of Cobb angles at the initial and final follow-up, and radiologic features on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were evaluated. To test differences between the pyogenic and tuberculous groups, numerical data were compared using the student’s t-test and Mann-Whitney U test, and categorical data were compared using the chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test.RESULTS: The patients’ mean age was 60.0 years. Male sex was slightly predominant (56.5%). There was no difference in mean age and sex between the two groups. The pyogenic group had a relatively higher proportion of immunocompromised patients. The peak CRP value was higher in the pyogenic group than in the tuberculous group (14.08 mg/dL and 8.50 mg/dL, respectively, p=0.009), whereas the ESR was not significantly different between the groups (81.5 mm/h and 75.6 mm/h, respectively, p=0.442). Radiologically, the presence of disc space sparing and vertebral body collapse differed between the groups. In the tuberculous group, the disc was more commonly preserved on contrast-enhanced MRI (50% and 23.5%, respectively, p=0.044), and vertebral body collapse was more common (66.6% and 15.7%, respectively, p < 0.001). The mean length of hospitalization was longer in the pyogenic group (56.5 days and 41.2 days, respectively, p=0.001). Four mortality cases were observed only in the pyogenic group. The most commonly isolated microorganism in the pyogenic group was Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) (methicillin susceptible S. aureus and methicillin resistant S. aureus [MRSA] in 8 and 4 cases, respectively).CONCLUSION: The clinical and radiological manifestations of spontaneous spondylitis differ based on the causative organism. Pyogenic spondylitis patients tend to have a higher CRP level and a more severe clinical course, whereas tuberculous spondylitis patients present with destruction of the vertebral body with disc sparing more frequently. The presence of MRSA is increasing in community-acquired spondylitis cases.
Bacterial Infections ; Blood Sedimentation ; Bone Diseases, Infectious ; C-Reactive Protein ; Discitis ; Drug Therapy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Immunocompromised Host ; Korea ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Methicillin Resistance ; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus ; Mortality ; Osteomyelitis ; Prevalence ; Retrospective Studies ; Spondylitis ; Staphylococcus aureus ; Tuberculosis

No abstract available.
Administration, Oral ; Aged ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/*administration & dosage ; Bone Diseases, Infectious/diagnosis/*drug therapy/microbiology ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Female ; Hospitals, University ; Humans ; Joint Diseases/diagnosis/*drug therapy/microbiology ; Male ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Middle Aged ; Republic of Korea ; Staphylococcal Infections/diagnosis/*drug therapy/microbiology ; Staphylococcus aureus/*drug effects/isolation & purification ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of antibiotic-PMMA (polymethyl-methacrylate) beads combined with external fixator in treatment of infected fracture nonunion.

METHODSTwenty-two cases of infected fracture-nonunions were reviewed involving 20 male and 2 female with an average age of 34.68 years (ranging 21 to 74 years). The data consisted of 9 cases of tibial fractures, 2 distal fractures of the femur, 6 femoral shaft fractures, 3 intertrochanteric fracture of the femur and 2 humeral shaft fractures. The procedure included thorough debridement to wipe out dead bone and granulation tissue, then antibiotic-PMMA bead chains imbedded into the dead space. One week later, secondary debridement was performed, antibiotic-PMMA bead chains were changed according to result of bacterial culture and susceptibility test, and fractures were stabilized with external fixator. Three months after debridement, antibiotic-PMMA bead chains were taken out and bone graft with autogenous iliac cancellous bone chips was performed.

RESULTSThe mean follow-up period was 19.98 months (ranging 15 to 28 months). Infection was controlled in 20 cases. One tibial fracture and 1 intertrochanteric fracture of the femur needed repeated debridement 2 and 3 months after bone grafting respectively,because of infection recurrence and sinus formation. All 22 cases achieved bony union averaged 15.09 weeks after bone grafting with a range of 8 to 24 weeks.

CONCLUSIONThorough debridement, imbedding antibiotic-PMMA bead chains combined with external fixator and staged bone grafting has proven to be effective and simple for treatment of infected fracture nonunion. The antibiotic bead delivers high tissue levels,obliterates dead space, aids bone repair.

Adult ; Aged ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; therapeutic use ; Bone Diseases, Infectious ; drug therapy ; microbiology ; surgery ; Bone Transplantation ; External Fixators ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fractures, Bone ; complications ; drug therapy ; surgery ; Fractures, Ununited ; complications ; drug therapy ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymethyl Methacrylate ; chemistry ; Young Adult

Albendazole ; therapeutic use ; Anthelmintics ; therapeutic use ; Bone Diseases, Infectious ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; therapy ; Bone Plates ; Curettage ; Echinococcosis ; diagnostic imaging ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Humans ; Humerus ; parasitology ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radiography

OBJECTIVETo investigate the treatment of acute and chronic osteomyelitis with negative pressure wound therapy.

METHODThirty cases of acute and chronic osteomyelitis were treated with negative pressure wound therapy, assisted with debridement, autodermoplasty and myo-cutaneous flap surgery.

RESULTSNo evidence of relapse was found in all cases treated with negative pressure wound therapy. All the patients were followed up, range from 6 to 23 months, the average was 13.6 months.

CONCLUSIONThe negative pressure wound therapy maybe a simple, effective and inexpensive method, and could be one of the favorable therapy in the treatment of acute and chronic osteomyelitis.

Acute Disease ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bone Diseases, Infectious ; etiology ; surgery ; Chronic Disease ; Debridement ; methods ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy ; Osteomyelitis ; surgery ; Surgical Wound Infection ; surgery