Deep surgical site infection is a devastating consequence of total joint arthroplasty. The use of antibiotic impregnated bone cement is a well-accepted adjunct for treatment of established infection and prevention of deep orthopaedic infection. It allows local delivery of the antibiotic at the cement-bone interface and sustained release of antibiotic provides adequate antibiotic coverage after the wound closure. Preclinical testing, randomised and clinical trials indicate that the use of antibiotic-impregnated bone cement is a potentially effective strategy in reducing the risk of deep surgical site infection following total joint arthroplasty. The purpose of this study was to assess antibacterial activity of erythromycin and colistin impregnated bone cement against strains of organisms' representative of orthopaedic infections including Gram-positive and Gram-negative aerobic organisms: Staphylococcus aureus, coagulase-negative Staphylococci, Enterococcus sp., Proteus sp., Klebsiella sp., Pseudomonas sp., and Escherichia coli. Pre-blended Simplex P bone cement with the addition of erythromycin and colistin (Howemedica Inc) was mixed thoroughly with 20ml liquid under sterile conditions to produce uniform cylindrical discs with a diameter of 14mm and thickness of 2mm. 24-48 hour agar cultures of Staphylococcus aureus, coagulase-negative Staphylococci, Enterococcus sp.,Proteus sp., Klebsiella sp.,Pseudomonas sp., and Escherichia coli were used for the agar diffusion tests. The agar plates were streaked for confluent growth followed by application of erythromycin and colistin impregnated bone cement disc to each agar plate. The plates were incubated at 30 degrees C and examined at 24, 48, 72 hours, and four and five days after the preparation of the impregnated cement. The susceptibility of Staphylococcus aureus to the control discs was most clearly demonstrated showing a distinct zone of inhibition. The zone observed around coagulase-negative Staphylococci, Klebsiella sp., Pseudomonas sp., and Escherichia coli were also significant. However, there was no zone of inhibition or signs of antibacterial activity at the cemented surface were detected around discs with Enterococcus sp. and Proteus sp. The results showed that Simplex P bone cement with the addition of erythromycin and colistin was effective against most of the broad spectrum organisms encountered during total joint arthroplasty. The activity of Simplex P bone cement impregnated with erythromycin and colistin is mainly during the first 72 hours.
Antibiotic-loaded bone cement has been used as prophylaxis against infection in total joint replacement surgery. Its effect on the mechanical strength of cement is a major concern as high dose of antibiotic was associated with a significant reduction in mechanical strength of bone cement. However, the cut-off antibiotic that weakens the mechanical strength of cement remains to be determined. This study was undertaken to observe the changes in the mechanical properties of bone cement with gradual increments of Cefuroxime antibiotic. Cefuroxime at different doses: 0, 1.5, 3.0 and 4.5gm were added to a packet of 40gm bone cement (Simplex P) and study samples were prepared by using third generation cementing technique. Mechanical impact, flexural and tensile strength were tested on each sample. Significant impact and tensile strength reduction were observed after addition of 4.5 gm of Cefuroxime. However, flexural strength was significantly reduced at a lower dose of 3.0 gm. The maximum dose of Cefuroxime to be safely added to 40mg Surgical Simplex P is 1.5gm when third generation cementing technique is used. Further study is needed to determine whether it is an effective dose as regards to microbiological parameters.