In a recent Orthopaedic Crossfire debate for Orthopedics This Week, HSS surgeon-in-chief emeritus Thomas P. Sculco, MD, argued that using antibiotic bone cement regularly in joint replacement surgery has disadvantages.

"Cost is one. The emergence of resistant organisms is another. Alteration of mechanical properties is a third. If you get carried away and you use more, certainly you can impede the mechanical properties," said Dr. Sculco during the debate at the Annual Current Concepts in Joint Replacement (CCJR) Spring meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada.

"It's primarily useful in that high-risk primary or revision knee," he added.

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