Low Risk of Periprosthetic Joint Infection After Aseptic Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty with Intraosseous Vancomycin

Background Aseptic revisions are the most common reason for revision total knee arthroplasty (rTKA). Previous literature reports early periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) rates after aseptic rTKA to range from 3 to 9.4%. Intraosseous regional administration (IORA) of vancomycin has previously been shown to produce high local tissue concentrations in primary and revision TKA. However, no data exists on the effect of prophylactic intraosseous (IO) vancomycin on early PJI rates in the setting of aseptic rTKA. The aim of this study was to determine: (1) what is the rate of early PJI during the first year after surgery in aseptic rTKA performed with IO vancomycin; and (2) how does this compare to previously published PJI rates after rTKA. Methods A consecutive series of 117 cases were included in this study who underwent rTKA between January 2016 and March 2022 by one of two fellowship-trained adult reconstruction surgeons and received IO vancomycin at the time of surgery in addition to standard intravenous (IV) antibiotic prophylaxis. Rates of PJI at 3 months, 1 year, and final follow-up were evaluated and compared to prior literature. Results Follow-up at three months was available for 116 of the 117 rTKAs, with one lost to follow-up. The rate of PJI was 0% at three months postoperatively. Follow-up at one year was obtained for 113 of the 117 rTKAs, and the PJI rate remained 0%. The rate of PJI at final follow-up of ≥ 1 year was 0.88% (95% CI [confidence interval], -0.84 to 2.61). Previous literature reports PJI rates in aseptic R-TKA to range from 3 to 9.4%. Conclusions Dual prophylactic antibiotics with IO vancomycin in conjunction with IV cephalosporins or clindamycin were associated with a substantial reduction in early PJI compared to prior published literature. This data supplements the early evidence about the potential clinical benefits of IO vancomycin for infection prevention in high-risk cases.