2017 ISAKOS Biennial Congress ePoster #1230

 

Higher Tissue Concentrations of Vancomycin with Low-Dose Intraosseous Regional Versus Intravenous Systemic Prophylaxis in Revision TKA

Simon W. Young, MD, FRACS, Auckland NEW ZEALAND
Henry D. Clarke, MD, Phoenix, AZ UNITED STATES
Rocco Pitto, FRACS, Auckland NEW ZEALAND
Mark Spangehl, MD, Scottsdale UNITED STATES

Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ, UNITED STATES

FDA Status Cleared

Summary

This randomised trial found intraosseous regional administration (IORA) of prophylactic antibiotics achieved tissue concentrations of vancomycin 5-20 times higher than systemic IV administration. IORA may be more clinically important in revision TKA, where the risk of infection is higher.

Abstract

Introduction

In primary TKA, prophylaxis with low-dose vancomycin via intraosseous regional administration (IORA) achieves tissue concentrations 6-10 times higher than systemic administration, and was shown to provide more effective prophylaxis in an animal model. However in revision TKA the presence of a tibial implant may compromise IORA injection, and tourniquet deflation during a prolonged procedure may lower tissue concentrations. This study compared tissue concentrations of vancomycin administered intravenously (IV) versus IORA in revision TKA.

Methods

Twenty patients undergoing aseptic revision TKA were randomized to two groups. The IV group received 1g of systemic IV prophylactic vancomycin. The IORA Group received 500mg vancomycin as a bolus injection into a tibial intraosseous cannula, below an inflated thigh tourniquet before skin incision. During the procedure subcutaneous fat and bone samples were taken at regular intervals. Tissue vancomycin concentrations were measured using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

Results

In all IORA patients, intraosseous tibial injection was unaffected by the tibial implant. Mean procedure length was 3.5 hours in both groups. Mean initial tourniquet inflation was 1.5 hours, with a second inflation for mean 35 minutes during cementation.
Overall mean tissue concentration of vancomycin in fat samples was 4.1ug/L in the IV group versus 115ug/L in the IORA group (p<0.001); tissue concentrations in femoral bone were 7.2ug/L in the IV group vs 101ug/L in the IORA group. Vancomycin concentrations in the final subcutaneous fat sample taken before closure remained 5.3 times higher in the IORA versus IV Group (p<0.001). The intra-articular concentration of vancomycin on post-operative day 1 drain samples was similar between the two groups (mean 4.6ug/L IV group vs 6.6ug/L IORA, p=0.08)

Conclusion

IORA administration of vancomycin is effective in revision TKA, resulting in tissue concentrations of vancomycin 5-20 times higher than systemic IV administration despite the lower dose. High tissue concentrations were maintained throughout the procedure, despite a period of tourniquet deflation. IORA may be more clinically important in revision TKA, where the risk of infection is higher.