ABSTRACT
Postoperative infections are a major concern in patients that receive implants. These infections generally occur in areas with poor blood flow and pathogens do not always respond to antibiotic treatment. With the latest developments in nanotechnology, the incorporation of antibiotics into prosthetic implants may soon become a standard procedure. The success will, however, depend on the ability to control the release of antibiotics at concentrations high enough to prevent the development of antibiotic-resistant strains. Through additive manufacturing, antibiotics can be incorporated into cementless femoral stems to produce prosthetic devices with antimicrobial properties. With the emerging increase in resistance to antibiotics, the incorporation of antimicrobial compounds other than antibiotics, preferably drugs with a broader spectrum of antimicrobial activity, will have to be explored. This review highlights the microorganisms associated with total hip arthroplasty (THA), discusses the advantages and disadvantages of the latest materials used in hip implants, compares different antimicrobial agents that could be incorporated, and addresses novel ideas for future research.
Subject(s)
Anti-Bacterial Agents/administration & dosage , Bacterial Infections/prevention & control , Drug Implants/administration & dosage , Hip Prosthesis/adverse effects , Manufacturing Industry/methods , Prosthesis-Related Infections/prevention & control , Anti-Bacterial Agents/chemistry , Bacterial Infections/etiology , Delayed-Action Preparations/administration & dosage , Delayed-Action Preparations/chemistry , Drug Design , Drug Implants/chemical synthesis , Equipment Failure Analysis , Humans , Nanocapsules/administration & dosage , Nanocapsules/chemistry , Prosthesis Design , Prosthesis-Related Infections/etiology , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Bacterial colonisation and biofilm formation onto orthopaedic devices are difficult to eradicate. In most cases infection is treated by surgical removal of the implant and cleaning of the infected area, followed by extensive treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics. Such treatment causes great discomfort, is expensive, and is not always successful. In this study we report on the release of vancomycin through polyethersulfone membranes from channels in cementless titanium-alloy cubes. The cubes were constructed with LaserCUSING from Ti6Al4V ELI powder. Vancomycin was released by non-Fickian anomalous (constraint) diffusion. Approximately 50% of the vancomycin was released within the first 17 h. However, sustained delivery of vancomycin for 100 h was possible by reinjecting the channels. Refillable implants may be a novel way to control postoperative infections.
