Fungal periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a rare but devastating complication following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). A standardized procedure regarding an accurate treatment of this serious complication of knee arthroplasty is lacking. In this systematic review, we collected data from 36 studies with a total of 45 reported cases of a TKA complicated by a fungal PJI. Subsequently, an analysis focusing on diagnostic, medicaments and surgical procedures in the pre-, intra- and postoperative period was performed. Candida spp. accounts for about 80% (36 out of 45 cases) of fungal PJIs and is therefore the most frequently reported pathogen. A systemic antifungal therapy was administered in all but one patient whereas a local antifungal therapy, e.g. the use of an impregnated spacer, is of inferior relevance. Resection arthroplasty with delayed re-implantation (two-stage revision) was the surgical treatment of choice. However, in 50% of all reported cases the surgical therapy was heterogeneous. The outcome under a combined therapy was moderate with recurrent fungal PJI in 11 patients and subsequent bacterial PJI as a main complication in 5 patients. In summary, this systematic review integrates data from up to date 45 reported cases of a fungal PJI of a TKA. On the basis of the current literature strategies for the treatment of this devastating complication after TKA are discussed.

Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a severe complication of total joint arthroplasty with an incidence of approximately 1%. Due to the high risk of persisting infection, successful treatment of fungal PJI is challenging. The purpose of this study was to gain insight into the current management of fungal PJI of the hip and, by systematically reviewing the cases published so far, to further improve the medical treatment of this serious complication of total hip arthroplasty. Thus, we conducted a systematic review of the available literature concerning fungal PJI in total hip arthroplasty, including 45 cases of fungal PJI. At the moment a two-stage revision procedure is favorable and there is an ongoing discussion on the therapeutic effect of antifungal drug loaded cement spacers on fungal periprosthetic infections of the hip. Due to the fact that there is rare experience with it, there is urgent need to establish guidelines for the treatment of fungal infections of total hip arthroplasty.

Background:Total hip arthroplasty (THA) in patients with a history of Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis (SCFE), is typically indicated to address the consequent deformity of the proximal femur and/or acetabulum. It can be a challenging procedure for the orthopaedic surgeon. Previous studies have focused on prevention of osteoarthritis post-SCFE. However, there is a paucity of data on the outcomes of total hip arthroplasty in patients with osteoarthritis secondary to SCFE. This study was performed to assess the mid-term results of total hip arthroplasty in this patient cohort.Materials and Methods:All patients with secondary osteoarthritis due to slipped capital femoral epiphysis, treated with total hip arthroplasty between 1987 and 2005, were included in this retrospective study (n=30). Thirty patients (17 male, 13 female) met the inclusion criteria with one patient lost to follow-up and one unrelated death one year before follow up examination, thereby leaving 28 patients (32 hips) eligible for the study with a mean follow-up time period of 11.2 years. The Harris Hip Score (HHS) and MOS 36 short form health survey (SF36) were determined preoperatively and at most recent follow-up for all patients. Complications were also noted for all cases.Results:The mean Harris Hip Score increased significantly from 47 (32-59; SD=8.3) to 92.3 (65-100; SD=8.2) (p<0.0001). The SF-36 health survey showed an improvement of quality-of-life in all sub-scales. Overall, revision surgery was required in six cases (19 %). Aseptic loosening, leading to implant removal, was noted in five cases. A single-stage revision to address infection was performed in one case. The cumulative survival rate at latest follow-up was 81 %. No other complications were encountered during the study.Conclusions:Despite a higher failure rate, compared to total hip arthroplasty in the treatment of primary osteoarthritis, total hip arthroplasty can be considered a feasible option for patients with secondary osteoarthritis of the hip due to slipped capital femoral epiphysis. The current study demonstrates good outcomes in patients treated with a cementless column-preserving prosthesis, which is of particular relevance for this young patient cohort. However, further clinical prospective randomized studies are warranted to provide more definitive evidence.

We were able to demonstrate that surgical cup revision and reorientation resulted in distinctly improved scores and is a feasible option to effectively treat persistent iliopsoas impingement due to a malpositioned acetabular component following THA.