Release of gentamicin from a tricalcium phosphate bone implant

The impregnation and elution of gentamicin antibiotic from a commercially available porous beta-tricalcium phosphate (TCP) bone implant material (Vitoss, Orthovita, Inc.) was investigated in vitro. Sustained local antibiotic release is an attractive method for the prevention of infection following surgery. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of the naturally forming clot that occurs within a porous tissue scaffold when combined with autologous blood or bone marrow aspirate (BMA) as a method for achieving controlled drug delivery. The diffusion of antibiotic from porous TCP scaffolds was studied using water, clotted blood, or BMA as impregnating fluids. Incorporation of the drug into the porous scaffold using clotted blood or BMA as a binder produced slowed release relative to aqueous impregnated and dried samples. Modifications were made to the elution method to simulate restricted diffusion due to surrounding clotted blood, tissue, or bone that would occur in vivo. These modified methods simulated release in a surgical site and showed long release profiles, with significant amounts of antibiotic being released for up to 2 weeks. We concluded that adding gentamicin with autologous BMA is a promising method of controlling drug release.