With the increase in the number of orthopaedic surgeons and the aggressive marketing by manufacturing companies, high technology orthopaedic surgery is being more frequently carried out in Malaysia. Post-operative sepsis complicating this type of surgery can have disastrous consequences. No data is available in this country on the incidence of post-operative infection in Orthopaedic Surgery. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of post-operative infection. A retrospective survey of 703 patients undergoing elective Orthopaedic Surgery in the year 1991 was carried out. We found an overall post-operative infection rate of 6.8% and a deep infection rate of 3.3%. This figure of 3.3% is higher than the internationally accepted figure of less than 2%. A need for ongoing surveillance and concerned effort to reduce the infection rate is stressed.
Revision arthroplasty of the hip is often complicated by infection, bone loss, and perioperative fracture of the femur. A simple, inexpensive spacer that keeps tissue planes intact and prevents soft tissue contracture during the interoperative period of a 2-stage revision is described. This can provide intramedullary support to a fractured or weak femur and enable local antibiotic delivery, as well as permit limited mobilization of the patient. It can be easily fabricated during surgery using universally available materials and can be tailored for specific requirements. Such a spacer was used in 5 cases. The experience is presented, and the technique and pitfalls are discussed.