title: Biodegradable antibiotic delivery systems.
abstract: Bacterial infection in orthopaedic surgery can be devastating, and is associated with significant morbidity and poor functional outcomes, which may be improved if high concentrations of antibiotics can be delivered locally over a prolonged period of time. The two most widely used methods of doing this involve antibiotic-loaded polymethylmethacrylate or collagen fleece. The former is not biodegradable and is a surface upon which secondary bacterial infection may occur. Consequently, it has to be removed once treatment has finished. The latter has been used successfully as an adjunct to systemic antibiotics, but cannot effect a sustained release that would allow it to be used on its own, thereby avoiding systemic toxicity. This review explores the newer biodegradable carrier systems which are currently in the experimental phase of development and which may prove to be more effective in the treatment of osteomyelitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma, University College Hospital, 235 Euston Road, London NW1 2BU, UK. moatazelhusseiny@gmail.com
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: El-Husseiny
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: MacFarlane
authors.forename: F S
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Haddad
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001850:Bone Diseases, Infectious / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004337:Drug Carriers; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D006801:Humans; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D004337:Drug Carriers