Leaching of tobramycin from PMMA bone cement beads

The in vitro leaching characteristics of tobramycin from acrylic resin (PMMA) bone cement beads have been determined by a radioimmune assay. Tobramycin was incorporated at two concentrations into bone cement beads fabricated from three commercial brands of acrylic resin. Antibiotic leaching followed a curvilinear relationship of the form X . Y = A . X + B . Y. All beads showed similar tobramycin leaching rates over time but the initial amount of leached material differed with the amount of tobramycin incorporated in the bead and the source of the PMMA bone cement. The data indicate that tobramycin-impregnated PMMA beads permit antibiotic leaching at a controlled rate compatible with possible clinical application.