October 22, 2025
1 min read
Key takeaways:
- Polymicrobial cultures taken at the time of septic nonunion repair had higher reoperation rates vs. mono-colonized cultures.
- Results showed no association between specific species of bacteria and reoperation.
PHOENIX — Polymicrobial cultures taken at the time of septic nonunion repair may be associated with higher rates of reoperation vs. mono-colonized cultures, according to data presented at the Orthopaedic Trauma Association Annual Meeting.
“This tells us that the patients who have polymicrobial infections may need to be treated aggressively,” William M. Ricci, MD, chief of orthopedic trauma at Hospital for Special Surgery, told Healio.
Data were derived from Barth K, et al. Paper 63. Presented at: Orthopaedic Trauma Association Annual Meeting; Oct. 15-18, 2025; Phoenix.
Ricci and colleagues retrospectively analyzed data from 102 adults (mean age, 52 years; 73% men) who underwent septic long bone nonunion repair from 2014 to 2023.
William M. Ricci
Outcome measures included osseous union and reoperation to address infection or to promote union.
Overall, Ricci and colleagues found 86.3% of patients (n = 88) achieved radiographic union.
Ricci said there was no association between a specific species of bacteria and the need for reoperation.
According to the abstract, patients with negative study-site cultures at index operation had a higher rate of unplanned reoperation (57%) vs. those with positive study-site cultures (30%).
In addition, patients with both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria had the highest reoperation rate (75%), followed by those with polymicrobial study-site cultures (43%), those with multiple bacteria of the same gram classification (28%) and those with mono-colonized cultures (18%).
“If there is only one species of bacteria, whether it is [Cutibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus] or even potentially MRSA, that does not mean it is a particularly bad problem,” Ricci said. “It is treatable.”
For more information:
William M. Ricci, MD, wishes to be contacted through Rachael Rennich at rennichr@hss.edu.
Sources/Disclosures
Source:
Barth K, et al. Paper 63. Presented at: Orthopaedic Trauma Association Annual Meeting; Oct. 15-18, 2025; Phoenix.
Disclosures:
Ricci reports no relevant financial disclosures.
