We evaluated the effect of combination of systemic antibiotics and antibiotics-impregnated cement in prevention of deep infection in primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in patients of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Between 1993-2000, primary TKA were performed for 60 RA patients. Systemic antibiotics with cefazolin and gentamycin were applied in all the patients. Cefuroxime-impregnated cement was used for fixation of tibial and patellar components in all the patients; femoral component was fixed noncementedly in 45 patients (hybrid TKA) and cementedly in 15 patients (cemented TKA). The preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative courses were evaluated in detail. The mean follow-up period was 61 months (range: 24-108 months). The effect of cefuroxime-impregnated cement in the prevention of postoperative deep infection in primary TKA in cases of RA was evaluated.
Except 1 (1.6%) superficial infection, no other complication was noted. There was no deep infection, either.
Cefuroxime-impregnated cement combining with systemic antibiotics seems to be effective in the prevention of early or intermediate deep infection in primary TKA in patients of RA.