Open AccessIntramedullary Antibiotic Depot Does Not Preclude Successful Intramedullary Lengthening or Compression
Author(s) -
Jessica C. Rivera,
Philip K. McClure,
Austin T. Fragomen,
Samir Mehta,
S. Robert Rozbruch,
Janet D. Conway
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of orthopaedic trauma
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.221
H-Index - 121
eISSN - 1531-2291
pISSN - 0890-5339
DOI - 10.1097/bot.0000000000002054
Subject(s) - intramedullary rod , medicine , compression (physics) , antibiotics , surgery , depot , microbiology and biotechnology , composite material , materials science , biology , history , archaeology
The challenging problem of long bone infection and limb length difference cannot be addressed using only an antibiotic-coated nonmagnetic static nail. The combined use of resorbable calcium sulfate and magnetic lengthening nails offers a possible solution to this dilemma, as well as for infected nonunions that require compression. We present a combined technique to treat or prevent infection using femoral or tibial intramedullary antibiotic delivery with an absorbable calcium sulfate depot and concomitant internal lengthening or compression using a nail. Adequate débridement is required in cases of established infection and is a prerequisite for this technique.