PALACADEMY^® Expert Sessions

Hip arthroplasty has a high standard all around the world and is one of the most successful surgical procedures. While population is becoming older more and more patients decide for a hip replacement with increasing expectations for sustainability of the solution. The best possible outcome for the patient is the main goal for every surgeon in arthroplasty. But how can we achieve this? Our experts share their experiences and discuss questions like: What can we do to reduce the risk for complications like periprosthetic fractures or periprosthetic joint infections? Which patients benefit from cemented fixation? What can a patient-oriented protocol look like? What needs to be done to manage a change of clinical practice? What role does education play in this process and what are the essentials in cementing technique?

Recent publications emphasize benefits of dual antibiotic-loaded bone cement (ALBC) with antibiotic combinations in infection prevention. But how about the septic situation? What is standard and what can be improved? Why are antibiotic combinations necessary in septic situations and which combinations to choose? What is the benefit of targeted local antibiotic therapy, and when is broad-spectrum prophylaxis more effective? How to differentiate between superinfection and recurrent infection, and what is the best strategy to prevent re-revision?

Periprosthetic joint infections are still one of the most challenging complications in arthroplasty. Patients at high risk for infection are more and more considered to be the key group, where PJI risk can and must be decreased.
By sharing their clinical practice, presenting scientific data and discussing the state of the art, our experts cover questions like: How can risk for infection be defined? Do high risk patients need special treatment? Which local preventive measures are promising? How should systemic antibiotics be used for prevention? What is the role of dual antibiotic-loaded bone cements?

In the series “Myths and truths about antibiotic-loaded bone cement (ALBC)” our experts discuss basic knowledge and current evidence about ALBC and pick up some widespread misbeliefs: Can ALBC reduce the rates of Periprosthetic Joint Infections? Are all bone cements the same? What do we know about release? Is there a difference between industrially and manually admixed ALBC? How about side effects and resistance development? Recent studies and papers are presented, analyzed and interpreted in the scientific context.