Hydrogel Coating to Reduce Post-surgical Infection After Joint Arthroplasty

Peri-prosthetic joint infection (PJI) is among the first three reasons for joint replacement failure. PJI is a serious condition that may lead to repeated surgical interventions, prolonged hospitalization, high costs, and significant morbidity, although low mortality. To address this concern, antibacterial coating of implants has been proposed, as the adherence of the microorganisms to the implant, forming a biofilm, plays a strategic role in the pathogenesis of PJI. MectaShield (Medacta International SA) is a novel resorbable hydrogel coating intended to be spread on orthopaedic implants' surfaces as a protective barrier for the prevention of PJI. The study aims to evaluate the safety of MectaShield and to capture its preliminary clinical performance in the prevention of early PJI in patients undergoing cementless revision hip arthroplasty.

Patients suitable to receive MectaShield for cementless revision hip arthroplasty will be invited to take part to the study during the preoperative visit. Follow-up is performed after 3 and 12 months. Data collection includes clinical and functional data for preoperative and postoperative assessments, as well as intraoperative details, adverse events and device deficiencies. Patients will be randomized 1:1 in 2 groups:

• Control (no MectaShield)
• MectaShield hydrogel coating (+ antibiotic)

The primary objective is to demonstrate that MectaShield hydrogel coating does not interfere with early primary stability at 3 months of follow-up

Secondary objectives are:

• To demonstrate that MectaShield does not interfere with primary stability at 12 months of follow-up
• To evaluate clinical and functional outcomes at 3 and 12 months of follow-up
• To evaluate the rate of PJI at 3 and 12 months of follow-up
• To evaluate the occurrence of adverse events and device deficiencies

Inclusion criteria

• Informed Consent signed by the subject
• Males and females aged over 18 years at time of surgery
• Subjects who are scheduled to receive a conical collarless cementless revision hip arthroplasty, with or without revision of the acetabular cup
• Subjects willing to comply with the pre- and post-operative evaluation schedule

Exclusion criteria

• Subjects with one or more medical conditions identified as a contraindication defined by the labelling on any implants used in this study
• Subjects with immune suppressive treatment for organ transplantation, or known allergy to MectaShield hydrogel constituents (Chitlac, Mannitol, Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, Sodium phosphate dibasic)
• Subjects presenting with progressive local or systemic infection at the time of surgery
• Subjects whose prospects for a recovery to independent mobility would be compromised by known coexistent, medical problems
• Subjects affected by concomitant spine, hip, ankle or contralateral knee pathologies that can affect walking capacity
• Subjects unable to understand and take action
• Subjects undergoing cementless revision hip arthroplasty in emergency interventions