A new method for the direct incorporation of antibiotic in prosthetic vascular grafts

A procedure for the bonding of antibacterial agents directly to prosthetic vascular grafts has been developed. This method does not involve the use of carriers or surfactants which may cause local toxicity or thrombogenesis. Using this procedure, antibiotics can be bonded to the graft alone or in combination with a metal, such as silver. Incorporation of silver along with the antibiotic enhances the antibacterial activity and prolongs retention of the antibiotics in the prosthetic grafts. Silver mediated bonding appears to release the antibiotic biphasically. In the initial phase (40 to 50 per cent), the drug is rapidly released and, in the second phase, the rest is diffused gradually enabling the graft to retain antibacterial activity for a longer period of time.