Research in Orthopedics
Multiple Randomized-Controlled Trials in Orthopedic Infections
The unit of Infectious Diseases and Infection Control targets the streamlining of the management, a reasonable use of antibiotic agents (antibiotic stewardship), and their prevention of orthopedic infections, including those associated with diabetic foot complications. The unit runs several prospective databases and five parallel randomized-controlled trials (RCT), Fig. 1; in transversal collaboration with all clinical entities of Balgrist University Hospital and the UCAR (Unit for Clinical and Applied Research).
According to the practical inclusion criteria, basically every adult patient diagnosed with almost any orthopedic infection is invited to participate in one or several of the five RCTs, at any time. The recruitment rate is very high with approximatively 4 to 10 new inclusions every workday, which is unparallelled in the world of orthopedic infections.
The years 2019 – 22 involved the setting up of all RCTs, 2020 – 23 saw the inclusion of the patients, and in 2024 – 25 the focus will be on analyses and publications. In 2025 – 26, we hope to see the main findings being implemented internationally, together with an increased academic visibility for Balgrist University Hospital.
This will result in a (potential) benefit for future patients in terms of better, quicker, and more efficient management and prevention of these infections. The RCTs are supported by several in-house prospective-observational studies, reviews, opinion papers, master theses, guidelines, and retrospective trials.
| Name | Purpose | Randomization | Sample size |
| BALGDEC | Skin decolonization | Decolonization | 2 x 500; 3 strata |
| vs. none | |||
| SALATIO | Antibiotic duration. Osteitis | 6 vs. 12 weeks | 2 x 140; 2 strata |
| BAPTIST | Prophylaxis. Open wounds | Cefuroxime vs. | 2 x 550; 5 strata |
| Vanco & Genta | |||
| SASI | Operated spine infections | 3 vs. 12 weeks | 2 x 125; 2 strata |
| TECH | Diabetic foot infections | Duration of antibiotics | 560; 4 strata |
Fig. 1: Overview of current randomized-controlled trials at Balgrist University Hospital.
Fünf randomisiert-kontrollierte Studien zu orthopädischen Infektionen
Die Forschung der Abteilung Infektiologie und Spitalhygiene zielt auf ein effizientes Management, einen rationalen und verantwortungsvollen Einsatz von Antibiotika (Antibiotic Stewardship) und die Prävention von orthopädischen Infektionen ab. Die Abteilung betreibt mehrere prospektive Datenbanken und fünf parallele randomisiert-kontrollierte Studien (RCT), Abb. 1. Gemäss den praktischen Einschlusskriterien wird jeder erwachsene Patient, bei dem eine orthopädische Infektion diagnostiziert wurde, zur Teilnahme an einer oder mehreren der fünf RCTs eingeladen. Die Auswertungen und Publikationen sollen der nationalen und der internationalen Umsetzung der wichtigsten Erkenntnisse und einer erhöhten akademischen Sichtbarkeit der Universitätsklinik Balgrist dienen.
At a glance
Multiple Randomized-Controlled Trials in Orthopedic Infections
Key Collaborators
Project lead: Prof. Dr. med. Ilker Uçkay
Thorsten Studhalter
Nadja Bragatto-Hess
PD Dr. med. Felix Waibel
PD Dr. med. Michael Betz
Departments and Partners
Balgrist University Hospital: Unit for Clinical and Applied Research, Spine Surgery Unit, Technical and Neuro-Orthopedics Unit
Clinical Relevance
Streamlining of the management of orthopedic infections, new preventive aspects
Further Information
> PubMed