Use of antibiotic beads in chronic osteomyelitis: six years experience at civil hospital, Karachi

ABSTRACT

This series includes 180 patients of Chronic Osteomyelitis who were treated with antibiotic beads from September 1995 to October 2001 in the Dept. of Orthopaedics at Civil Hospital, Karachi. Amongst them were 126 [70%] males and 54 [30%] females, with an age range of 12-52 years. They were followed -up for a minimum period of three years. One hundred and fifty three [85%] cases recovered fully with good functional result. In 18 [10%] patients the result of the treatment was fair as the patient ultimately recovered after initial problems, while in nine [5%] it was poor as the patients had to undergo another surgery. In view of good functional results, and fewer recurrences and complications, we advocate the use of antibiotic beads in the treatment of chronic osteomyelitis of long bones