We compared the outcome of bioactive glass S53P4 as bone substitute versus autologous bone grafts for filling defects in patients with infected non-union. Our comparison of the outcomes revealed no significant differences between the groups with respect to recurrence of infection, bone healing, full weight bearing, or complications in general. Our results are promising. BAG seems to be an appropriate bone substitute. Further studies with larger numbers of patients are required.

A plausible cause of persistent infection after septic hip revision may be the presence of nonviable osteomyelitic bone. We present our initial experience in hip revision for chronic infection in which fluorescent tetracycline bone labeling was used as an additional aid to provide a visual index of surgical bone debridement. In the present series, the use of this technique successfully aided the surgeon to detect the presence of nonviable bone.

Literature reporting on the effectiveness of DAIR (debridement, antibiotics and implant retention) procedures performed after a one- or two-stage revision because of a prosthetic joint infection (PJI-related revision arthroplasty) is scarce. Infection control rates of a DAIR procedure after primary arthroplasty (n = 51) and after prior PJI-related revision arthroplasty (n = 16) were 69 % and 56 %, respectively. No statistically significant difference is found in infection control after 1 year.

To evaluate bone and tissue concentrations following intraosseous vancomycin administration, eight pigs were injected with 500 mg vancomycin into the tibia followed by a 12 h sampling period. This provided high concentrations in the tibia bone nearby the injection site the entire period, though with a wide range of peak concentration. The systemic absorption was high and immediate, thus mirroring an intravenous administration. Low mean concentrations were found in adjacent tissue compartments.

This case highlights clinical and laboratory diagnostic challenges encountered with mycobacterial osteoarticular infections. Specifically, we focus on a rare complication of prosthetic joint infection following BCG therapy for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer. We emphasize awareness of host risk factors to encourage consideration of mycobacteria in the relevant context.