Preformed acrylic bone cement spacer loaded with antibiotics: use of two-stage procedure in 10 patients because of infected hips after total replacement.

In 10 patients having deep infection after total hip replacement, we used a two-stage revision procedure involving implantation of a preformed spacer with a cylindrical rod coated with acrylic cement containing antibiotics (Spacer-G). This device, which remained in situ for an average of 5 months, permitted healing of the infection in 8 cases and reimplantation of a new prosthesis (mean follow-up 35 months). During treatment, 1 dislocation occurred. The spacer maintained the gap between both bone segments and allowed a certain degree of joint mobility. Use of Spacer-G improved the quality of life of the patients during treatment and accelerated recovery of function after reimplantation.