Sterilization of infected bone by lyophilization and rehydration with antibiotic solutions

In vitro experiments were carried out with artificially infected rib-fragments in order to find out, whether freeze-drying and subsequent sterilization with ethylene oxide and antibiotic solutions will eliminate bacteria inside the bone.

Ethylene oxide will kill bacterial surface contaminants, but not bacteria inside the bone; rehydration with appropriate antibiotic solutions will eliminate bacteria inside the graft. Some clinical implications are mentioned.