Following the invitation of Professor Geert Walenkamp MD, PhD, Associate Professor and Orthopaedic surgeon at the University Hospital Maastricht, more than 170 endoprosthetic experts from eight European countries met in Maastricht, The Netherlands. PMMA bone cement as a local carrier of active substance was the main focus of the symposium.

Dr.L.Engesaeter from Bergen, Norway, reported about experience with the prophylaxis of infection in the inplantation of TEP. The safest infection prophylaxis in TEP is achieved by using a combination of antibiotic-containing bone cement together with several systemic antibiotic administrations on the day of the operation.

The use of antibiotic-containing bone cements as infection prophylaxis has established itself as standard in Norway and The Netherlands.

Prof. Dr.G. Walenkamp, The Netherlands, also considers the use of antibiotic-containing bone cement in primary implantations as absolutely necessary.