Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 14, 2026
Comprehensive Characterization of Tissue Mineralization in an Ex Vivo Model
Published on: September 27, 2024
In-vitro analysis of the effect of gentamicin and polyhexanide on bone tissue
Hans-Jürgen Kock1, Dirk Ernst, Frank Jethon
1Klinik für Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie, Neckar-Odenwald-Kliniken GmbH, Knopfweg 1, 74821, Mosbach, Germany. kock.da@t-online.de
Purpose:
Though anti-infectives have been used for a long time in surgical procedures, the effect on bone tissue has not been determined for most antibiotics and antiseptics.
Methods:
In our in vitro study, 4x4x8 mm(3) blocks of rabbit cancellous bone tissue were incubated with Ringer's solution, gentamicin and Lavasorb(®) each for time intervals of 15 minutes, 30 minutes, one hour, four hours and eight hours. Samples were examined double blinded through optical and electron microscopy.
Results:
Tissue degeneration was observed in all samples. It was low in Ringer's solution. Samples with Lavasorb showed a moderate degeneration after 15 and 30 minutes, which was accelerated after one hour. Gentamicin led to a moderate degeneration of bone tissue after 15 and 30 minutes and to a more accelerated degeneration after one hour. The effect of gentamicin on bone tissue was more pronounced than the effect of Lavasorb.
Conclusions:
This investigation showed that local application of Lavasorb or gentamicin on bone tissue should be restricted to 30 minutes, while Lavasorb showed a better tissue tolerability. This finding could have clinical implications for the management of wounds with open osseous tissue and should be further investigated by in vivo studies.
