Antibacterial hydrogel coating is associated with lower complication risks after complex high-risk primary and cementless hip revision arthroplasty : a retrospective matched cohort study.

AIMS

This study aimed to verify the hypothesis that an antibiotic-loaded hydrogel, defensive antimicrobial coating (DAC), reduces overall complication and infection rates when used for high-risk primary and revision total hip arthroplasty (THA).

METHODS

This was a retrospective, 1:1 matched cohort study of 238 patients, treated with cementless implants coated with and without DAC. A subgroup analysis was also conducted of patients undergoing second-stage revision THA for periprosthetic joint infection (PJI). Reinfection rates within two years, complications necessitating surgical intervention, and radiological analysis for aseptic loosening were assessed.

RESULTS

Overall, the mean age of the patients was 68.3 years (SD 11.5), with 39 (32.8%) McPherson class A, 64 (53.8%) class B, and 16 (13.4%) class C. Four (3.4%) patients in the DAC group developed complications including one PJI and one delayed wound healing, while 13 (10.9%) patients in the control group developed complications, including five PJIs and three delayed wound healing (p = 0.032). PJI rates (p = 0.136) and delayed wound healing rates (p = 0.337) were not statistically significant. For second-stage revision THA, for PJI there were 86 patients in the DAC group and 45 in the control group. One patient (1.2%) in the DAC group developed complications with no recurrences of infection or delayed wound healing, while ten patients (22.2%) in the control group developed complications including four recurrent PJI and one delayed wound healing (p = 0.003). Recurrent PJI rates were statistically significant (p = 0.005), while delayed wound healing rates were not (p = 0.165). Patients treated with DAC also had lower rates of aseptic loosening (0% compared with 6.7%; p = 0.015). No local or systemic side effects related to the DAC hydrogel coating were observed.

CONCLUSION

Antibiotic-impregnated hydrogel coatings on cementless implants appear to be associated with decreased complication rates after complex primary or revision THA. For second-stage revision THA for PJI, it is also associated with reduced risk of reinfection and aseptic loosening.