Sterilization of infected bone by lyophilization and rehydration with antibiotic solutions.
In vitro experiments were carried out with artificially infected rib-fragments in order to find out, whether freeze-drying and subsequent sterilization with ethylene oxide and antibiotic solutions will eliminate bacteria inside the bone.


RESULTS
Ethylene oxide will kill bacterial surface contaminants, but not bacteria inside the bone; rehydration with appropriate antibiotic solutions will eliminate bacteria inside the graft. Some clinical implications are mentioned.
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D001847:Bone Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*; D016025:Bone Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D013242:Sterilization; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D014867:Water
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D014867:Water