Author/Authors :
Fernando, Navin Hip and Knee Center at Northwest Primary and Specialty Care North Seattle - University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA , Werner, Shawn Aurora Medical Center Summit Oconomowoc, WI, USA , Elhaddad, Moamen Department of Orthopedic Surgery - Harborview Medical Center - University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA , Davies, Jonah Department of Orthopedic Surgery - Harborview Medical Center - University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA , Firoozabad, Reza Department of Orthopedic Surgery - Harborview Medical Center - University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
Abstract :
Background: Polymethylmethacrylate antibiotic impregnated beads can be an effective treatment for chronic
osteomyelitis or an adjuvant in the treatment of open fractures. It remains unclear however whether the beads cause
long-term adverse events if not removed. The purpose of this study was to determine if removal of antibiotic beads was
required in order to avoid long term complications.
Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted on patients with an extremity or pelvis fracture that had
implantation of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) antibiotic beads over a five-year period.
Results: Fifty-one patients met inclusion criteria for this study; thirty-seven patients (73%) did not have complications
after surgical debridement and placement of PMMA antibiotic beads necessitating removal.
Conclusion: Our findings suggest that polymethylmethacrylate antibiotic beads can be utilized as a means of delivering
high-dose concentrations of local antibiotics and do not have to be removed in all patients.
Keywords :
Infection , Fracture , Antibiotic resistance , Antibiotic beads , Antibiotics
