Defensive antibacterial coating in revision total hip arthroplasty: new concept and early experience

Infections remains the most feared complication in total hip arthroplasty (THA). New strategies of PJI prevention includes coating of conventional implants. Defensive Antibacterial Coating (DAC), an antibacterial hydrogel coating made of hyaluronan, poly-D and L-lactide can protect biomaterials as an effective barrier at the time of implantation. In addition, it can be used with topical antibiotics to prevent early colonisation of the implant.

This manuscript describes the detailed function of the DAC in general as well as an analysis of its use in revision THA in a series of 28 patients in a short-term follow-up.

Its use in patients undergoing cementless re-implantation after 2-staged procedures in THA is described in detail within the manuscript.

DAC found to be effective in terms of infection control and safety in our patient cohort and has been expanded for cementless 1-staged revisions in PJI of the hip in our institution.