Augmented debridement in implant infection with absorbable, gentamycin loaded calcium sulfate/hydroxyapatite biocomposite

E. Drampalos, H. Mohammad, U. Halim, M. Balal, J. Wong, A. Pillai

¹Wythenshawe Hospital, University Hospital of South Manchester NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom 

Aim: To evaluate the clinical outcome of a new absorbable, gentamycin loaded calcium sulfate/hydroxyapatite biocomposite (CERAMENT^TM/G) as cavity filler after debridement and removal of infected metalwork in chronic osteomyelitis.

Methods: We report the retrospective study of prospectively collected data from 36 patients with chronic osteomyelitis from implant infection. Treatment included a single stage protocol with removal of the metalwork, debridement augmented with application of CERAMENT^TM/G, stabilization, culture-specific antibiotics and primary skin closure or flap. The biocomposite was used for dead space filling after resection of Cierny-Mader (C-M) stage III and IV chronic osteomyelitis. Data were collected on patient age, comorbidities, operation details, microbiology, postoperative complications and type of fixation or plastic surgery. Primary measure of outcome was recurrence rate.

Results: According to the C-M classification 22 patients (63%) were defined as Type III and 13 (37%) as Type IV. A total of 26 (72%) patients were Class B hosts. In 9 cases (25%), there was an infected non-union and 1 patient had septic arthritis. Mean age was 52 years (range 22 to 81). Patients were followed for a mean of 20 months (range 6 to 36). Infection was eradicated in 32 patients. There were three (8.3%) recurrences (two cases of osteomyelitis and one of soft tissue/flap infection). Two of them were successfully managed with repeat surgery (one Class B and one Class A host) and one (Class B host) with suppressive antibiotic therapy as per patient's choice. In one infected nonunion the infection was eradicated but the nonunion persisted. Thirteen patients (36.6%) had a local or free fascio-cutaneus flap. Staphylococci (50%) and Enterococci (15%) were the most common microorganisms. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was more common in polymicrobial infection usually with Staphylococcus aureus.

Conclusions: A multidisciplicary approach including augmented debridement with CERAMENT^TM/G is effective for treatment of chronic osteomyelitis with infected metalwork.

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