3D-Printed Titanium Cage with PVA-Vancomycin Coating Prevents Surgical Site Infections (SSIs)

Many coating materials have been studied to prevent surgical site infections (SSIs). However, antibacterial coating on surfaces show weak adhesion using the traditional titanium (Ti) cage, resulting in low efficacy for preventing SSIs after spinal surgery. Herein, a 3D-printed Ti cage combined with a drug-releasing system is developed for in situ drug release and bacteria killing, leading to prevention of SSIs in vitro and in vivo. First, a 3D-printed Ti cage is designed and prepared by the Electron Beam Melting (EBM) method. Second, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) containing hydrophilic vancomycin hydrochloride (VH) is scattered across the surface of 3D-printed porous Ti (Ti-VH@PVA) cages. Ti-VH@PVA cages show an efficient drug-releasing profile and excellent bactericidal effect for three common bacteria after more than seven days in vitro. In addition, Ti-VH@PVA cages exhibit reliable inhibition of inflammation associated with Staphylococcus aureus and effective bone regeneration capacity in a rabbit model of SSIs. The results indicate that Ti-VH@PVA cages have potential advantages for preventing SSIs after spinal surgery.