A critical threat to surgical implant success.

Contamination continues to be a significant problem for surgical implants, and can lead to infection, aseptic loosening and implant failure. Commonly caused by bacteria that are part of normal skin flora, they enter the incision from the skin of the medical staff or the patient during surgery. For your patients, this can mean pain, multiple operative procedures, aggressive antibiotic therapy — even death.*

The Hidden Dangers of Implant Contamination

Studies show that device-related contamination is a persistent problem for patients, hospitals and the medical-device industry — and is a leading cause of implant failure. At Orthobond, we are committed to building awareness around the issue of implant contamination and its often devastating effects.*

Contaminated Surgical Implants

Implant surgery can be deadly. The five-year mortality rate associated with joint infection exceeds that of breast cancer. In fact, there are more than two million healthcare-associated infections every year, with up to 70% of them attributed to contaminated implants. This can lead to unnecessary follow-up surgeries, amputation and even death.*

Contamination on Implant Surfaces

Numerous studies demonstrate that, despite strenuous efforts, most operating rooms and surgical suites are rife with bacteria, viruses and fungi. It should come as no surprise that 70-100% of explanted hardware from failed joint implants have some level of contamination.*

Contamination Leads to Aseptic Loosening

More than twenty years of scientific and clinical studies reveal a clear link between aseptic loosening and chronic, low levels of bacteria on implant surfaces. Implant failures and infections are a tremendous risk for patients. They can cause pain, restricted mobility, expensive follow-up surgeries — even loss of life.*

*References

1. Dempsey, K. E. et al. Identification of bacteria on the surface of clinically infected and noninfected prosthetic hip joints removed during revision arthroplasties by 16s rRNA gene sequencing and by antimicrobial culture. Arthritis Res. Ther. 9. 1-11 (2007).
2. Mangram AJ, Horan TC, Pearson ML, Silver LC, Jarvis WR. Guideline for prevention of surgical site infection, 1999, Am J Infect Control, 1999, vol. 27 (pg. 97-134)
3. Darouiche, R.O. Treatment of infections associated with surgical implants. N Eng J Med 350, 1422-1429 (2004).
4. VanEpps, J.S. & Younger, J.G. Implantable Device-Related Infection, Shock 46, 597-608 (2016).
5. Kurtz, S.M. et al. Are We Winning or Losing the Battle with Periprosthetic Joint Infection: Trends and Mortality Risk for the Medicare Population. J. Arthroplasty (2018) doi: 10.1016/j.arth.2018.05.042.
6. VanEpps, J.S. & Younger, J.G. Implantable Device-Related Infection, Shock 46, 597-608 (2016).
7. Beldame, J. et al. Surgical glove bacterial contamination and perforation during total hip arthroplasty implantation: When gloves should be changed. Orthop. Traumatol. Surg. Res. 98, 432-440 (2012).
8. Pasquarella, C. et al. Microbial air monitoring in operating theatres: Experience at the University Hospital of Parma. J. Hosp. Infect. 81, 50-57 (2012).
9. Tunney, M.M. et al. Detection of prosthetic hip infection at revision arthroplasty by immunofluorescence microscopy and PCR amplification of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene. J. Clin. Microbiol. 37, 3281-3290 (1999).
10. Tunney, M.M. et al. Detection of prosthetic hip infection at revision arthroplasty by immunofluorescence microscopy and PCR amplification of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene. J. Clin. Microbiol. 37, 3281-3290 (1999).
11. Dempsey, K.E. et al. Identification of bacteria on the surface of clinically infected and non-infected prosthetic hip joints removed during revision arthroplasties by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and by microbial culture. Arthritis Res. Ther. 9, 1-11 (2007).
12. Moojen, D.J. F. et al. Incidence of low-grade infection in aseptic loosening of total hip arthroplasty: A prospective multicenter study using extensive routine and broad-range 16S PCR with reverse line blot diagnostics. Acta Orthop. 81, 667-673 (2010).
13. Kurtz, S.M. et al. Are We Winning or Losing the Battle with Periprosthetic Joint Infection: Trends and Mortality Risk for the Medicare Population. J. Arthroplasty (2018) doi: 10.1016/j.arth.2018.05.042.

To learn how to prevent implant contamination, contact Orthobond today.

Search our shop