Custom-made, antibiotic-loaded, acrylic cement spacers using a dental silicone template for treatment of infected hip prostheses

Antibiotic-loaded acrylic cement (ALAC) spacers are useful for treatment of infected prostheses in the course of a two-stage revision. Spacers are handmade or are made using a commercial template, with reportedly good treatment outcomes. This study aimed to confirm the usefulness of custom-made ALAC spacers shaped like bipolar hip prostheses using a dental silicone template for treatment of infected hip prostheses, and described their manufacture. This study evaluated 10 patients who underwent two-stage revision for treatment of infected hip prostheses. Custom-made ALAC spacers were used in all patients. Templates were made with dental silicone. We investigated the following in treatment of the infected hip prostheses: bacterial pathogens; antibiotic-cement mixtures; waiting time to revision; dislocation, breakage, and migration of custom-made ALAC spacers; current hip status; progress during follow-up; presence or absence of recurrence; and walking ability. Dislocation, breakage, and migration were not observed in custom-made ALAC spacers. All patients recovered after two-stage revision without additional surgery and showed no recurrence during the follow-up period. Custom-made ALAC spacers shaped like bipolar hip prostheses using a template made of dental silicone may be useful for treatment of infected hip prostheses.