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Diffusion of antibiotics across tissue expanders: an in vitro study
D M Kenna1, E B Robotti, G Bocchiotti
1Department of Plastic Surgery, Brown University/Rhode Island Hospital, Providence.
Annals of Plastic Surgery
|April 1, 1994
Summary
Antibiotics can diffuse through tissue expander membranes, inhibiting bacterial growth in surrounding fluids. This finding offers a potential strategy to reduce infection complications in breast reconstruction using tissue expanders.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Infectious Disease Research
- Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Background:
- Local infection is a major complication of tissue expansion procedures.
- Subclinical infections around permanent prostheses in breast reconstruction are linked to capsular contracture.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the diffusion of antibiotics through tissue expander membranes.
- To determine if antibiotics can achieve bacteriostatic levels in fluid surrounding tissue expanders.
Main Methods:
- An in vitro model using 50-ml tissue expanders filled with Bactrim, Ancef, Nafcil, or saline.
- Expanders were incubated in fresh frozen plasma for 48 hours on a rotary shaker.
- Bacterial inoculums of Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis were added externally.
Main Results:
- Antibiotics demonstrated variable inhibition of bacterial growth in the external medium.
- Evidence confirmed antibiotic diffusion through the Silastic membrane of tissue expanders.
- An efficient bacteriostatic level was established in the surrounding fluid.
Conclusions:
- Antibiotics can effectively permeate tissue expander membranes.
- This diffusion capability suggests a potential clinical application for preventing infections.
- The findings may help reduce complications associated with tissue expanders in reconstructive surgery.