Infection after total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a devastating complication with significant consequences for patients. In literature, single and two-stage revision, irrigation and debridement, Girdlestone resection arthroplasty, and arthrodesis and amputation are reported as possible treatments. Recently, two-stage revision has become popular as the gold standard treatment for chronic hip joint infections after THA. In this review, we evaluate the current literature about microbiology of periprosthetic joint infections and the use of antibiotic-loaded cement spacers. We aim to give an overview about indications, clinical results, and mechanical complications for spacers implantation, evaluating also selection criteria, pharmacokinetic properties, and systemic safety of the most frequently used antibiotics.

Achillon mini-invasive suture system is a reliable tool for the Achilles tendon ruptures, able to reduce the incidence of soft tissues complications if compared to the classic open tenorrhaphy, while maintaining strength of the suture and leading to superimposed functional outcomes.

Purpose This study aims to evaluate 30–60–90-day mortality of operated proximal femur fractures (PFFs) suffering from COVID-19 and correlation with patients’ clinical presentation and comorbidities. Methods Between February 1, 2020, and December 31, 2020, patients with COVID-19 infection and surgically treated PFF were included. Patients’ demographic characteristics, oxygen (O2) therapy, comorbidities, and AO type fracture were collected. Chi-square test or Fisher test and hazard ratio were used to assessing the correlation between mortality rate, patient characteristics, and COVID-19 status. Kaplan-Meyer curve was used to analyze 30–60–90-day mortality. Level of significance was set as p < 0.05. Results Fifty-six patients (mean age of 82.7 ± 8.85 years) were included. Thirty-day mortality rate was 5%, which increased to 21% at 60 days and 90 days. Eleven patients died, eight due to AO type A-like and three due to AO type B-like fractures. No significant difference in mortality rate between patients with cardiopulmonary comorbidity or no cardiopulmonary comorbidity was found ( p = 0.67); a significant difference in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or history of pulmonary embolism (PE) and patients without COPD was found ( p = 0.0021). A significant difference between asymptomatic/mild symptomatic COVID-19 status and symptomatic COVID-19 status was found ( p = 0.0415); a significant difference was found for O2 therapy with < 4 L/min and O2 therapy ≥ 4 L/min ( p = 0.0049). Conclusion Thirty-day mortality rate of COVID-19 infection and PFFs does not differ from mortality rate of non-COVID-19 PFFs. However, patients with pre-existing comorbidities and symptomatic COVID-19 infection requiring a high volume of O2 therapy have a higher incidence of 60–90-day mortality when surgically treated.

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Background: In middle-aged patients, treatment of femoral neck fractures is still debated between osteosynthesis and replacement. Describing predictive factors is essential to choose the appropriate treatment for each patient. The aim of this study was to describe risk factors for avascular necrosis (AVN) of the femur head in patients with femoral neck fractures treated with three cannulated screws. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of 91 patients between January of 2011 and February of 2017. Fractures were classified according to Garden and Pauwels classifications, fracture displacement was measured in millimetres (mm), quality of reduction was classified as anatomical or not anatomical; all post-operative radiographs were classified with Garden Alignment Index (GAI). Demographic data were recorded and analyzed. Results: AVN was found in six cases (6.6%). The Garden Classification ([Formula: see text]), GAI classification ([Formula: see text]), fracture displacement in mm ([Formula: see text]) and anatomical reduction ([Formula: see text]) were significantly associated with AVN. The most important risk factor for AVN was suboptimal reduction in axial view evaluated with GAI ([Formula: see text]). One case of AVN occurred in patients with GAI considered excellent (71.42%); no AVN occurred in patients with anatomical reduction (47.2%). Conclusions: Anatomical reduction in patients with femoral neck fractures treated with cannulated screws is mandatory. The degree of displacement before surgery influences the outcome but post-operative anatomical reduction, especially in the lateral view, is the most important predictive factor for the outcome: decreasing the Lateral Garden Angle (LGA) from 180∘ increases significantly the risk for AVN.