The meeting began with an overview of the International Consensus Meeting, held in August 2013 in Philadelphia. Several of the faculty were participants in the meeting and Prof Fares Haddad from London outlined the process, research potential and outcome of the consensus document. This was followed by the first invited lecture, appropriately enough on ‘Myths or science’ in orthopaedic surgery, given by Prof John Fairclough from Cardiff.
Two debates were part of the day: firstly an antibiotic prophylaxis debate between Dr Brendan Healy (Cardiff) and Dr Marina Morgan (Exeter). A lively debate which raised the room temperature with the microbiologists in the audience holding fast on locally developed protocols addressing local concerns. Secondly, a debate between uncemented and cemented implant fixation in revision knee replacement. Prof Daniel Kendoff (Endoklinic, Hamburg) and Mr Rhidian Morgan-Jones (Cardiff), described different techniques and philosophies but had similar outcomes. The consensus was with radical debridement and secure fixation whichever method was used.
The last morning session was the trainee presentations. The standard was high throughout but the winner, chosen by the faculty, was Dr Alice Howell, a trainee from UCLH who presented ‘The burden of infection on orthopaedic emergency referrals and admissions in a Central London teaching hospital’.
After lunch the meeting concluded with three final invited lectures. Possibly stealing the show was Dr Imran Shah (AO Clinic, Karachi). The experience of the clinic in dealing with infected non-unions is unparalleled, with every case that was demonstrated topping the previous for complexity.
The final two lectures were given by Prof Carlo Romano (Milan) the immediate past-president of the European Bone & Joint Infection Society (EBJIS) and Dr Heinz Winkler (Austria), President of EBJIS. Both spoke on new technologies for local antibiotic delivery and novel anti-biofilm therapies. The future potential for pan-European collaboration for research and intervention was highlighted by both, and closer links with the EBJIS and its UK associated meetings such as NOIF was encouraged.
The NOIF once again is indebted to its many sponsors, and the delegates were able to view and discuss the varying therapeutic and diagnostic solutions on display.
For the last five years, NOIF has run a ‘spin off’ regional meeting in the South West of England. This year the South West Orthopaedic Infection Forum will be held in Bristol on 2 December. Details of the South West course and next year’s National Orthopaedic Infection forum (24 June 2015, SOAS, London) can be obtained from the course organisers Hartley Taylor www.hartleytaylor.co.uk or email Julie@hartleytaylor.co.uk
Dates for your diary:
NOIF: 24 June 2015,
SOAS London
Infected TKR: 12–13
March 2015, Cardiff Castle and City Hall
