Efficacy and Safety of Dual vs Single Antibiotic-Loaded Cement in Bone Fracture Management: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Bone fractures often require arthroplasty, which carries the risk of surgical site infections (SSIs) and prosthetic joint infections (PJIs). Antibiotic-loaded bone cement (ALBC) is commonly used to reduce these risks. Dual antibiotic-loaded cement (DALC) has been proposed as a more effective option compared to single antibiotic-loaded cement (SALC). This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of DALC and SALC in preventing infections and related outcomes in arthroplasty. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing DALC and SALC in patients undergoing hip or knee arthroplasty for fractures. The primary outcome was infection rate (SSI and PJI), with secondary outcomes including re-revision rates and mortality. Databases searched included PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Data synthesis was performed using Review Manager Software (RevMan 5.4, Cochrane Methods, London, UK), and odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. Nine studies comprising 55,672 patients were included. Eight studies focused on hip arthroplasty, and four included knee surgeries. In hip arthroplasty, DALC significantly reduced infection rates compared to SALC (OR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.49 to 0.83; P = 0.001), with moderate heterogeneity (I² = 52%). However, no significant difference was found in knee arthroplasty (OR, 1.21; 95% CI, 0.87 to 1.70; P = 0.26). Overall, DALC showed a significant reduction in infection rates (OR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.66 to 1.00; P = 0.05). DALC also significantly reduced deep surgical site infections in hip surgeries (OR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.33 to 0.66; P < 0.001). No significant differences were observed in re-revision rates for either hip or knee arthroplasty. Mortality rates were also not significantly different between DALC and SALC. DALC appears to reduce infection rates, particularly in hip arthroplasty, compared to SALC. However, no significant differences were found in re-revision or mortality rates. These findings suggest that DALC may offer better prophylaxis in hip surgeries, but further research is needed to explore its broader benefits and cost-effectiveness.