title: Antibacterial coating on biocomposites for cranio-facial reconstruction.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Despite the fact that implants are sterilized, antiseptic techniques are applied and systemic antibiotics are routinely administered prior to and after craniofacial surgery, infection rates between 3% and 40% are still reported for alloplastic implants, urging for implant removal. The present study focuses on the development of a fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) implant for craniofacial reconstruction with antimicrobial properties.
  
  
  METHODS
  A new fiber-reinforced composite coated with gentamicin was developed and tested for bacterial adherence and antibacterial efficiency, using two of the most involved bacterial strains in the postoperative infections: Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Bacteria were efficiently inactivated in direct contact with gentamicin coatings (p<0.05). The inhibition zone for Staphylococcus aureus ranged from 17.21 mm to 20.13 mm and for Pseudomonas aeruginosa ranged from 12.93 mm to 15.33 mm. Although no significant statistical results were found for bacterial adhesion and gentamicin concentration, (Staphylococcus aureus: β= -0.974; p=0.144>0.05 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa: β = -0.921; p=0.255>0.05), a negative relation was observed, indicating the reversed relation between the antibiotic dosage and the bacterial adherence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of the two applied microbiological protocols used in the study suggested that gentamicin eluting coating inhibited not only the bacterial growth, but also led to a lower initial bacterial adhesion to the surface of the implant. Thus, antibiotic coating of craniofacial implants may reduce the infection rate related to reconstructive surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Implantology and Maxillofacial Surgery, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
authors.forename: Madalina Anca
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Lazar
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science and Technology, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vodnar
authors.affiliation: Raluca Ripan Institute for Research in Chemistry, Babes Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
authors.forename: Doina
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Prodan
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
authors.forename: Horatiu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rotaru
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
authors.forename: Calin Rares
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Roman
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Technical University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
authors.forename: Lidia Adriana
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Sorcoi
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
authors.forename: Grigore
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Baciut
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Rehabilitation, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
authors.forename: Radu Septimiu
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Campian
keywords: anti-bacterial agents; bacterial adhesion; cranial implantation