The role of non-biodegradable antibiotic loaded beads in orthopaedic field - science and clinical experience

The use of local antibiotics from a non-biodegradable beads implant for chronic osteomyelitis is an attractive alternative. The beads implant delivers high tissue levels, obliterates dead space, aids bone repair. One of the challenging problems in orthopaedic field is chronic osteomyelitis thatcan result in morbidity affecting the viability of an affected limb. Biofilm formation and avascularized bone protect pathogens and lead to persistence of infection. Non-biodegradable antibiotic beads are custom made by orthopaedic surgeon to treat this disease. The purpose of this paper is to review some clinical experiences as serial case report with custom-made gentamycin sulfate antibiotic impregnated implants.