Do antibiotic beads need to be removed?
Recommended Citation
Fernando N, Werner S, Elhaddad M, Davies J, Firoozabadi R. Do Antibiotic Beads Need to be Removed?. Arch Bone Jt Surg. 2020;8(4):502-505. doi: 10.22038/abjs.2020.44143.2208
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.
Document Type
Article
PubMed ID
32884970
Affiliations
Aurora Medical Center Summit