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Updated: Jul 4, 2026

Treatment with Vancomycin Loaded Calcium Sulphate and Autogenous Bone in an Improved Rabbit Model of Bone Infection
Published on: March 14, 2019
The compressive properties of bone cements containing large doses of antibiotics
Matthew H Pelletier1, Lawrie Malisano, Peter J Smitham
1Surgical & Orthopaedic Research Laboratories, Prince of Wales Hospital, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
Abstract:
The addition of large amounts of antibiotics to bone cement provides a convenient local delivery, but may influence the compressive properties of the cement. Flucloxacillin and vancomycin were added to Simplex P (Stryker, Limerick, Ireland) and VersaBond (Smith & Nephew) cements. Tripling the antibiotic dose from 2 to 6 g had little effect on the static compressive properties 24 hours after curing. After 4 weeks in phosphate-buffered saline, there was marked decrease in properties with the addition of antibiotics. Compressive strength of cements with 6 g of antibiotic was reduced to near or below the ASTM and ISO minimum of 70 MPa after 4 weeks in phosphate-buffered saline. Microcomputer tomography revealed increased porosity and clumping of the radiopacifier with the addition of antibiotics.
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