Off-label Usage of Absorbable Beads Containing Antibiotics for Prevention of Surgical Site Infections

Surgical site infections account for about 17% of all nosocomial infections, second only to urinary tract infections. Antibiotic beads deliver high local antibiotic concentrations and maintain low systemic levels. The authors assessed the efficacy of calcium sulfate absorbable antibiotic beads (CSAAB) in the prevention of surgical site infections (SSIs) for complex wound closures. Patient records from the University of New Mexico Hospital (UNMH; Albuquerque, NM) and Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC; Lebanon, NH) were retrospectively analyzed from 2004 to 2015. Each patient received CSAAB prophylaxis during operations performed by the principle investigator. Charts were grouped by wound location and category. Outcomes were defined solely by readmission within 30 days for repeat intervention. Zero of the 38 UNMH and 15 of the 104 DHMC patients were readmitted. Data reached statistical significance based on 95% confidence intervals using the binomial distribution. This brief retrospective chart review shows promising use for CSAAB in the prevention of soft tissue SSIs.