Antibiotic Containing Bone Cement Beads in the Treatment of Deep Muscle and Skeletal Infections

Abstract

Forty-eight cases of chronic osteomyelitis or bacterial arthritis operated on with eradication of infections lesions were randomly treated either by insertion of suction-irrigation drainage or by implantation of gentamicin beads. the average follow-up time was 2 years. There was no difference in the recurrence rate between the two groups. the gentamicin treated patients were however more easily cared for as the suction-irrigation drainage required constant attention. Local temporary treatment with gentamicin beads should be used in cases of deep gram—negative muscle and skeletal infections where it would otherwise be necessary to give toxic antibiotics.