Controlled release of vancomycin from thin sol–gel films on titanium alloy fracture plate material

Risk of infection is considerable in open fractures and its management is challenging, especially when fracture fixation material is used. Thus, it may be desirable to use a device from which antibiotics can be released in a controlled way. Room temperature processed silica sol–gels are novel, resorbable and biocompatible, controlled release materials. Vancomycin, a potent antibiotic used in treating osteomyelitis, can be released from silica sol–gels. Herein, we describe the synthesis of thin, resorbable, controlled release bactericidal sol–gel films on a Ti-alloy substrate and determine the effect of processing parameters on its degradation and vancomycin release. A close correlation between release and degradation rates suggests that film degradation is the main mechanism underlying the control of release. Using a multi-layer process and various concentrations of vancomycin, released concentrations exceed the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of vancomycin against Staphylococcus aureus. The findings enable the tailoring of release and degradation properties of the films to therapeutic needs by controlling sol–gel processing parameters. Given the bactericidal properties of released vancomycin, and the biocompatibility of the sol–gel films, the present data suggest great promise to prevent and treat bone infections in a clinical setting.