The use of vancomycin-loaded poly-l-lactic acid and poly-ethylene oxide microspheres for bone repair: an in vivo study.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to investigate bone repair after the implantation of vancomycin-loaded poly-L-lactic acid/poly-ethylene oxide microspheres compared with vancomycin-unloaded poly-L-lactic acid/poly-ethylene oxide microspheres.


METHODS
Poly-L-lactic acid/poly-ethylene oxide microspheres were implanted in rat tibiae and evaluated for periods of 2, 4, 8, and 12 days and 4, 8, 16, and 32 weeks. The groups implanted with vancomycin-loaded and vancomycin-unloaded microspheres were compared. Histopathologic (semi-quantitative) and histomorphometric analyses were performed to evaluate the bone formation process.


RESULTS
During the first period (second day), fibrin and hemorrhaging areas were observed to be replaced by granulation tissue around the microspheres. Woven bone formation with progressive maturation was observed. All of the histopathological findings, evaluated by a semi-quantitative assay and a quantitative analysis (percentage of bone formation), were similar between the two groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Vancomycin-loaded poly-L-lactic acid/poly-ethylene oxide microspheres are a good bone substitute candidate for bone repair. Local antibiotic therapy using vancomycin-loaded poly-L-lactic acid/poly-ethylene oxide microspheres should be considered after the microbiological evaluation of its efficacy.
Experimental Orthopaedics, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Medical University Innsbruck, Austria. debora.coraca-huber@i-med.ac.at
Débora Cristina
DC
Coraca-Huber
Eliana Aparecida de Rezende
EA
Duek
Maurício
M
Etchebehere
Luis Alberto
LA
Magna
Eliane Maria Ingrid
EM
Amstalden
D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D018786:Bone Substitutes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008863:Microspheres; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D011091:Polyesters; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011108:Polymers / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors; D014640:Vancomycin / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D018786:Bone Substitutes; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; D019344:Lactic Acid; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; C033616:poly(lactide); D014640:Vancomycin