Hip Surgery Infections Were Linked to Bair Hugger Warmers
The use of a 3M Bair Hugger Warming Blanket during surgery was alleged to be responsible for hip replacement infections. This widely used “forced-air warming blanket” was present in most operating rooms, and lawsuits claimed it could circulate bacteria or contaminants from the floor into the sterile surgical field.
Severe deep joint infections following hip surgery were often linked to the warming blanket, sometimes resulting in multiple additional surgical procedures to treat the infected hip.
Financial compensation was pursued through a hip replacement infection lawsuit by individuals who developed complications after implant surgery performed since 2009.
Hip Implant Infection Problems
Infections following hip replacement surgeries are uncommon. However, certain types of surgical warming blankets used during procedures may have increased the risk of this serious complication.
The 3M Bair Hugger Warmer uses forced air to regulate body temperature during surgery, which is intended to reduce bleeding, promote recovery, and improve outcomes. However, lawsuits alleged that safer alternative warming technologies were available.
The Bair Hugger system was used in more than 80% of hip replacement surgeries, with over 50,000 devices deployed in U.S. hospitals.
According to allegations raised in Bair Hugger hip infection lawsuits, the manufacturer knew or should have known that the device’s design allowed contaminated air to reach the surgical site. Research linked the system to higher rates of hip sepsis, MRSA, and other serious infections.
Common symptoms of hip infections following surgery with a 3M Bair Hugger device included:
- Pain
- Stiffness
- Swelling
- Warmth and Redness at Surgical Site
- Wound Drainage
- Fever and Chills
- Fatigue
In some cases, multiple surgeries were needed to treat the infection. Severe infections could result in permanent disability or, in extreme cases, the need for amputation.
Hip Replacement Infection Treatments
There are a number of different treatments for hip joint infections. However, each carries serious risk of leaving individuals with long-term pain and complications.
▸ Two-Stage Hip Revision Surgery: The most frequently recommended joint replacement infection treatment is also the most extreme. This treatment option for infected hips involves removing the original implant, as well as the infected tissue and bone in a process known as debridement or irrigation. Then antibiotic-coated devices known as spacers are placed in the cavities where the tissue and hip implants were removed. Oral or intravenous antibiotics are also often employed.
The spacers are left in for six to twelve weeks, meaning that during that time there is no hip joint, resulting in a considerable loss of mobility. Once the infection is gone, the new implant is installed.
This procedure has the highest success rate, but also comes with a high risk of hip infection complications, including spacer dislocation, spacers which may not contain the correct antibiotic to treat the infection, temporary loss of mobility, and, in rare cases, a risk of allergic reactions and acute renal failure.
▸ One-Stage Hip Replacement Revision Surgery: This technique involves having the implant removed, the infected flesh and bone debrided, and the new implant replaced in one operation.
The new hip implant usually involves the use of antibiotic cement to hold the new implant in place and to prevent future infection. It is financially cheaper than two-stage revision and has a faster recovery time. However, there is a higher risk of recurring hip joint infections.
▸ Debridement/Irrigation and Hip Implant Retention: In some cases, it is deemed necessary to leave the original implant in place. In these cases, usually used when infections are caught in their earliest stages, the infected tissue is debrided and the patient is given a long course of antibiotics. In some cases the patient takes oral or receives intravenous antibiotics for as little as six weeks, but in many cases the patient may have to take antibiotics for life.
While this procedure has the fastest recovery time regarding the use of the hip, the patient may have to take harsh antibiotics for a long period of time, increasing the risk of antibiotic drug side effects. In addition, results can vary significantly, with some studies indicating a success rate of anywhere from 26% to 71%.
▸ Suppressive Antibiotics Only: This is rarely used and simply involves the use of suppressive antibiotics to treat the infection. It requires long use of antibiotics and there is little data on the success rate for a hip replacement infection.
In about 8% of cases, the infection is due to methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus, an antibiotic-resistant staph infection that is much more difficult to treat. The presence of staph infections increases the risk that the treatment to remove the infection will fail, according to some studies.
Bair Hugger Hip Replacement Infection Lawyers
Our firm previously investigated potential class action and individual lawsuits for individuals across the United States who developed infections following joint replacement surgery performed since 2009.
Safer alternative warming devices were available, and lawsuits alleged that many of these complications could have been avoided. Similar concerns were raised in knee replacement infection lawsuits linked to the 3M Bair Hugger warming device.
The hip infection lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. previously provided free consultations to help individuals determine whether this medical device was used during their surgery.
All claims were handled on a contingency fee basis, meaning there were no out-of-pocket expenses to hire our law firm, and attorney fees were only collected if a financial recovery was obtained.
