title: Delivery of antibiotics from cementless titanium-alloy cubes may be a novel way to control postoperative infections.
abstract: Bacterial colonisation and biofilm formation onto orthopaedic devices are difficult to eradicate. In most cases infection is treated by surgical removal of the implant and cleaning of the infected area, followed by extensive treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics. Such treatment causes great discomfort, is expensive, and is not always successful. In this study we report on the release of vancomycin through polyethersulfone membranes from channels in cementless titanium-alloy cubes. The cubes were constructed with LaserCUSING from Ti6Al4V ELI powder. Vancomycin was released by non-Fickian anomalous (constraint) diffusion. Approximately 50% of the vancomycin was released within the first 17 h. However, sustained delivery of vancomycin for 100 h was possible by reinjecting the channels. Refillable implants may be a novel way to control postoperative infections.
authors: Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch 7600, South Africa.
authors: Martin B
authors: MB
authors: Bezuidenhout
authors: Department of Microbiology, University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch 7600, South Africa.
authors: Anton D
authors: AD
authors: van Staden
authors: Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch 7600, South Africa.
authors: Gert A
authors: GA
authors: Oosthuizen
authors: Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch 7600, South Africa.
authors: Dimitar M
authors: DM
authors: Dimitrov
authors: Department of Microbiology, University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch 7600, South Africa.
authors: Leon M T
authors: LM
authors: Dicks
mesh_terms: D000497:Alloys; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D019736:Prostheses and Implants / Q000382:microbiology; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry*; D014640:Vancomycin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000497:Alloys; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; C031462:titanium alloy (TiAl6V4); D014640:Vancomycin; D014025:Titanium