Local antibiotic delivery with bovine cancellous chips

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Biomaterials Science
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Osteomyelitis and infected bone defects are common in trauma.
• Current treatment involves systemic antibiotics and removable antibiotic beads, requiring a second surgery.
• There is a need for improved local antibiotic delivery methods.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate a common bone void filler's ability to be infused with an antibiotic.
• To assess the in vitro release of gentamicin from the bone void filler.
• To evaluate the effect of released gentamicin on osteoblast cell proliferation and function.

Main Methods:

• A xenograft bone void filler was loaded with gentamicin.
• Gentamicin release was measured in vitro over 14 days.
• Osteoblast cell proliferation and alkaline phosphatase activity were assessed.

Main Results:

• The bone void filler successfully loaded and released gentamicin for at least 14 days in vitro.
• Released gentamicin inhibited bacterial growth on the graft.
• The released gentamicin did not adversely affect osteoblast cell proliferation or alkaline phosphatase production.

Conclusions:

• The tested xenograft material can be infused with gentamicin for sustained local antibiotic delivery.
• This bone void filler demonstrates potential as a viable alternative to current antibiotic delivery methods in orthopedic applications.
• Further research may validate its use in treating osteomyelitis and infected bone defects.