Use of antibiotic-impregnated polymethyl methacrylate in horses with open or infected fractures or joints: 19 cases (1987-1995).
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the clinical efficacy of antibiotic-impregnated polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) in horses with open or infected fractures or joints in which internal fixation or external coaptation devices were used.


METHODS
Retrospective case series.


METHODS
19 horses in which antibiotic-impregnated PMMA was used as part of the treatment regimen.


METHODS
Medical records of each horse were reviewed, and owners and trainers were contacted to provide additional information.


RESULTS
Musculoskeletal problems in these horses included 10 fractures of long bones, 2 comminuted phalangeal fractures, 5 joint injuries, and 2 chronically septic joints in which ankylosis was stimulated. Nine horses had open fractures, 8 had closed wounds and developed infection after internal fixation of fractures, and 2 had chronically septic joints. Bony union was achieved in 15 of 19 horses. Twelve horses were discharged from the hospital and survived long term. Gentamicin sulfate, tobramycin sulfate, amikacin sulfate, and cefazolin sodium were used in PMMA.


CONCLUSIONS
Use of antibiotic-impregnated PMMA provided high local concentrations of antibiotics and should be considered in the treatment of horses with open fractures and acute and chronic bone and joint infections.
Holcombe
S J
SJ
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus 43210-1089, USA.
Schneider
R K
RK
Bramlage
L R
LR
Embertson
R M
RM
D000583:Amikacin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002437:Cefazolin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000662:veterinary; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004755:Enterobacteriaceae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004756:Enterobacteriaceae Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D005597:Fractures, Open / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D005839:Gentamicins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006736:Horses; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D007596:Joints / Q000187:drug effects / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013585:Synovitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary; D014031:Tobramycin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D005839:Gentamicins; D000583:Amikacin; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate; D002437:Cefazolin; D014031:Tobramycin