Treatment of chronic long-bone infections by dissolvable antibiotic beads (pure synthetic calcium sulfate impregnated with vancomycin and gentamicin)

Abstract

Background This study reviews the clinical results using synthetic calcium sulfate impregnated with vancomycin and gentamicin dissolvable beads in 70 patients who suffered from chronic long-bone infection that was not responding to several trials of treatment. Patients and methods All patients prepared for surgical debridement and calcium sulfate impregnated with vancomycin and gentamicin beads were inserted into the wound. Results The main follow-up was 12 months; the mean age of the patients was 37.94. Staphylococcus aureus was the organism that had been reported in 45.71% of all swabs. In the final results 61 (87.14%) patients were completely healed while only nine (12.86%) patients still had infection. Complication Blood loss occurred in 15 (21.42%) patients and five (7.15%) patients developed deep venous thrombosis (DVT). Conclusion Dissolvable beads of calcium sulfate impregnated with vancomycin and gentamicin are an effective and safe tool for the treatment of chronic long-bone infections.