The effect of age, BMI, and bone mineral density on the various lumbar vertebral measurements in females.

PURPOSE: Healthy spinal balance is dependent on spinal sagittal alignment. It is evaluated by several spinopelvic measures. The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of age and body mass index and the bone mineral density on the several vertebral measures and sagittal spinopelvic measurements. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 89 female patients were grouped according to age (> 70, < 70); to BMI (underweight (< 18.5 kg/m2), normal weight (18.5-25 kg/m2), overweight (25-30 kg/m2); and to spine T scores (normal, osteopenia, and osteoporosis). On lateral lumbar X-ray, lumbar lordosis (LL) angle and pelvic incidence (PI) are measured. On sagittal T2 MRI images, anterior and posterior vertebral heights and foraminal height and area of the L1-L5 segments were measured. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 70.54 ± 6.49. The distribution of the patients in BMI groups and BMD groups were even. Mean lumber lordosis (LL) was 48.27 ± 18.06, and the mean pelvic incidence (PI) was 60.20 ± 15.74. In the younger age group, LL was found to be higher than the older age group. The vertebral and spinopelvic angle measures within the different BMI and BMD groups revealed no difference in between. There were no statistically significant difference in correlation analysis. CONCLUSION: In this cross-sectional study, the results revealed that younger patients have higher lordosis angle, and normal BMD patients have higher foraminal height and area measures than osteoporotic and osteopenic patients. Obesity seemed not to have any influence on vertebral measures. Spinopelvic parameters seem not to be effected by BMD and BMI.

Analysis of the fluid biochemistry in patients with prolonged wound drainage after hip hemiarthroplasty.

INTRODUCTION: The origin and content of prolonged wound drainage (PWD) after arthroplasty remain uncertain. In this study, we performed the biochemical, biological and advanced proteomic analysis of the drainage fluid collected from PWD patients following hip hemiarthroplasty (HA). METHODS: Data of 28 patients who developed PWD after HA were prospectively analyzed. After examining the biochemical content of the drainage fluid collected on postoperative day 6, to find out if the drainage fluid was transudate or exudate, it was compared with the patient's serum values according to the Light criteria. Subsequently, biological and proteomic analyzes of both drainage fluid and serum were performed. The similarities and differences in terms of protein concentrations, protein identities were examined. In the drainage fluid, we analyzed lymph-specific proteins. RESULTS: 16 patients with PWD were male (61.1%), 12 were female (38.9%), and the mean age of all patients was 79.64 ± 8.44 (65-95). Biochemical test results of the drainage fluid / serum were as follows: Total protein: 2.1 / 5.2 g/dl, albumin: 1.3 / 3.1 g/dl, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH): 121/324 U/l, cholesterol: 28/160 mg/dl, triglyceride: 37/122 mg/dl, sodium (Na): 140/ 140mg/dl, potassium (K): 4.1/ 4.1 mg/dl. pH of the drainage fluid was 7.6. According to these biochemical values, drainage fluid was classified as transudate. As a result of protein identification, fibrinogen beta chain, keratin type 1, creatine kinase M-type protein were detected in drainage fluid. Subsequent western analysis revealed that, gliseraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and beta actin antibody were detected in the drainage fluid but not in serum. CONCLUSION: Despite the similarity in serum and transudative PWD fluid in terms of biochemical content, we found that when we carried out further proteomic analysis, PWD contains lymph-specific proteins. Unlike PWD, these proteins were not determined in serum. PWD fluid can be also called as lymphorrhea. PWD fluid with abundant proteins may also provide an appropriate environment for the growth of microorganisms.

Factors associated with prolonged wound drainage after hemiarthroplasty for hip fractures in elderly.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of prolonged wound drainage (PWD) and the amount of drainage fluid after hip hemiarthroplasty (HA) and to investigate the risk factors for the development of PWD associated with the patient, fracture and surgical treatment. METHODS: Data from 313 patients who underwent HA were prospectively analysed. The mean drainage time and drainage amount of patients with PWD were calculated. Patient demographic data, pre-operative ASA scores and anticoagulation status, presence of diabetes, fracture type, surgical approach, femoral stem type, cable usage, amount of drain output, blood transfusion quantity, time from injury to surgery, time from surgery to discharge and patient blood tests were investigated. RESULTS: The incidence of PWD after HA was 8.9% (28 patients). The mean drainage time in patients with PWD was 4.9 ± 1.85 (3-9) days, and the mean collected total fluid volume was 51.1 ± 26.9 (21-132) mL. PWD was more commonly observed in the lateral approach group (p < 0.001) and morbidly obese patients (p < 0.001). In the PWD group, the mean post-operative first-day haemoglobin value was lower (p < 0.001), more blood transfusions were required (p < 0.001) and the amount of drainage output from the closed suction drain (CSD) was higher (p < 0.001). The duration of hospitalization was longer in patients with PWD (p < 0.001). Lateral approach, morbid obesity and increased drainage output were found to be associated with PWD in logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSION: Lateral approach, morbid obesity and increased drainage output were found to be risk factors for the occurrence of PWD.

Efficacy of bone-end intervention on fracture healing in bisphosphonate-related atypical femoral fractures.

BACKGROUND: Delayed unions are quite common in the treatment of atypical femur fractures, which are thought to result from the long-term use of bisphosphonates. The effects of interventions for sclerotic tissue on the fracture line in atypical femoral fractures are not fully known. For this reason, we compared the results of patients with atypical femoral fractures treated by closed intramedullary nailing to patients treated by open surgery accompanied with interventions for their sclerotic bone ends, aiming to answer: (1) In the treatment of atypical femoral fractures, do bone-end interventions have a positive effect on the radiological union rate and radiological union time? (2) Do bone-end interventions influence complication rates in the treatment of atypical femoral fractures? HYPOTHESIS: Bone-end interventions provide a faster and higher rate of union compared to closed intramedullary nailing and result in fewer complications in atypical femoral fractures. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 32 patients who met the inclusion criteria and had atypical femoral fractures treated by intramedullary nailing between 01/01/2012 and 12/31/2016 were reviewed. Of these, 15 fractures were treated with intramedullary nailing (Group 1), and 17 were treated with open surgery and drilling of the bone ends followed by intramedullary nailing (Group 2). Demographic data, laboratory values, radiological union times, and complications were compared between the groups. Nonunion was defined as fractures with a persistent fracture line 12 months after surgery without any sign of union. RESULTS: A similar rate of primary union was obtained in both groups (Group 1, 13/15 [87%]; Group 2, 16/17 [94%]; p=0.471). The mean radiological consolidation period was shorter in Group 2 (Group 1, 6.8±1.8 months; Group 2, 5.1±1.3 months; p=0.004). Nonunion rates were similar between the groups (Group 1, 1/15 [7%]; Group 2, 1/17 [6%]; p=0.927). For 1 patient in Group 1, a femoral neck fracture occurred 10 months after surgery, and a revision was performed with a long femoral stem. DISCUSSION: In the treatment of atypical femoral fractures with intramedullary nailing, we found that the patients who were treated with open intervention of the bone ends had similar union and complication rates to those treated with closed methods, but radiological union time was found to be shorter in the open-intervention group. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III, retrospective case-control study.

Incomplete atypical femoral fractures after bisphosphonate use in postmenopausal women.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of incomplete atypical femoral fractures (iAFFs) in postmenopausal women using bisphosphonates and to investigate the potential risk factors for the development of iAFF. METHODS: The national health-care records system indicated that 2746 postmenopausal women in our region aged ≥50 years were taking bisphosphonates. Using an assumed iAFF prevalence of 10% and levels of 5% α significance and ±5% precision, we calculated that a sample size of 132 participants was needed for this study. The patients were randomly selected and invited to the hospital. Radiographs and bone scans were used to evaluate each patient for iAFF. Bone mineral density, 25-hydroxy vitamin D, parathyroid hormone, and alkaline phosphatase measurements were performed. RESULTS: The mean age of the study population was 72.79 ± 7.35 years, and the mean duration of bisphosphonate use was 7.7 ± 3.4 years. We found iAFF in 14 (10.6%) patients, and 3 patients had bilateral involvement. Of the 17 femurs with iAFF, a proximal third location was seen in 2 patients (11.8%), a mid-third location in 14 (82.4%), and a distal third location in 1 (5.9%). The duration of bisphosphonate use was longer, and parathyroid hormone levels were higher in patients with iAFF compared to those without an incomplete fracture. CONCLUSION: We found a relatively higher prevalence of iAFF in postmenopausal women using bisphosphonate. Early identification and treatment of iAFF is crucial for reducing potential patient morbidity and hospital costs.

Continuous adductor canal block following total knee arthroplasty provides a better analgesia compared to single shot: A prospective randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare single-shot adductor canal block and continuous infusion adductor canal block techniques in total knee arthroplasty patients. METHODS: We prospectively randomized 123 patients who were scheduled for unilateral primary total knee arthroplasty surgery into single shot (n = 60; mean age: 67.1 ± 6.9 years) and continuous (n = 63; mean age: 66.9 ± 6.8 years) adductor canal block groups. Postoperative visual analog scale pain scores, need for additional opioids and functional results as; timed up and go test, the 30-s chair stand test, 5 times sit-to-stand test, the 6-min walking test, the time to active straight leg raise, time to walking upstairs, maximal flexion at the time of discharge, duration of stay in hospital were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Pain scores were lower in the continuous adductor canal block group as compared to the single-shot adductor canal block group throughout the postoperative period (p = 0.001). Rescue analgesia was required for 6 (10%) patients in the single shot group and for 1 (1.59%) patient in the continuous group (p = 0.044). Patients in the continuous adductor canal block group displayed better functional results than the single-shot adductor canal block group with respect to active straight-leg rise time (25.52 ± 4.56 h vs 30.47 ± 8.07 h, p = 0.001), 6-min walking test (74.52 ± 29.38 m vs 62.18 ± 33.32 m, p = 0.035) and maximal knee flexion degree at discharge (104.92 ± 5.35° vs 98.5 ± 7.55°, p = 0.001). There was no significant difference between the two groups for other functional and ambulation scores. CONCLUSION: Pain control following total knee arthroplasty was found to be better in those patients treated with continuous adductor canal block as compared to those treated with single-shot adductor canal block. Patients treated with continuous adductor canal block also displayed better ambulation and functional recovery following total knee arthroplasty. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level I, Therapeutic Study.

Reliability and diagnostic utility of radiographs in patients with incomplete atypical femoral fractures.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of radiographs in identifying incomplete atypical femoral fractures and to determine interobserver and intra-observer reliability. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Anterior-posterior and lateral radiographs of 10 femurs with incomplete atypical femoral fractures confirmed using bone scintigraphy and magnetic resonance imaging, and 40 femurs without incomplete atypical femoral fractures confirmed using bone scintigraphy, were reviewed by 4 orthopedic surgeons and 4 radiology specialists. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were calculated to determine a diagnosis of incomplete atypical femoral fractures. Interobserver reliability was measured using Fleiss' kappa value, and intra-observer reliability was ascertained using Cohen's kappa statistic. RESULTS: Mean sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and the positive and negative predictive values were found to be 89, 89, 89, 67, and 97% respectively, in diagnosing incomplete atypical femoral fractures using radiographs. Interobserver reliability was found to be at a good level (Fleiss' kappa = 0.66, standard error = 0.03, 95% confidence interval = 0.61-0.71). Intra-observer Cohen's kappa values ranged from 0.53 to 0.91. CONCLUSION: The use of radiography was satisfactory in identifying incomplete atypical femoral fractures, and the level of interobserver agreement was found to be good. As radiographs are associated with low positive predictive values, an advanced imaging method should be used when an increase in femoral cortical thickness is the only contributory factor to suspicion of an incomplete atypical femoral fracture.

Efficacy of Pie-Crusting Technique on Soft Tissues in Distal Tibia and Fibula Fractures.

Distal tibia and fibula fractures are challenging injuries to treat as evidenced by the high rates of wound complications because of vulnerable soft tissue coverage. The aim of this study was to examine the effect on soft tissue complications of the pie-crusting technique when applied between 2 incisions in distal tibia and fibula fractures treated with open reduction and internal fixation. We reviewed 34 patients with distal tibia and fibula fractures treated between September 2014 and March 2017. The pie-crusting technique was performed during wound closure in 16 (47.06%) fractures (group 1) and classic wound closure was done in 18 (52.94%) fractures (group 2). The primary outcome was evaluated as the presence or absence of soft tissue complications such as superficial skin necrosis, deep skin necrosis, and deep infection. The mean age was 50.44 ± 13.51 (range 23 to 65) years in group 1 and 51.67 ± 14.49 (range 18 to 68) years in group 2. The mean follow-up time was 27.35 ± 9.02 (range 16 to 46) months. The mean surgery time after injury was 5.88 ± 3.5 (range 1 to 14) days in group 1 and 7.32 ± 4.25 (range 1 to 16) days in group 2. No soft tissue complications were seen in any patient in group 1. Five (27.77%) occurrences of superficial skin necrosis were observed in group 2. In 2 (11.11%) patients in group 2, deep necrosis and wound dehiscence occurred, and subsequent deep infection developed in 1 (5.55%) of these patients. The overall complication rate was higher in group 2 (p = .005). We believe that the pie-crusting technique is beneficial for wound closure in distal tibia and fibula fractures, because it reduces the tension of the skin and allows leakage of subcutaneous fluids.

Soft tissue reconstruction of foot and ankle defects with reverse sural fasciocutaneous flaps.

OBJECTIVE: This study presents the results of 25 consecutive patients and evaluates the success of reverse sural fasciocuteneous flap (RSFF) on coverage of the foot and ankle region. METHODS: A total of 25 patients with soft tissue defects in the lower leg, foot, or ankle were treated with RSFF, from January 2010 to January 2017. In the evaluation of patients, the form prepared by the clinic was used and the following data were collected: age, follow-up, gender, etiology, defect size, complications, and patient satisfaction rates. RESULTS: Mean follow up time was 18 months. In all patients, the defects were fully covered. Three patients developed partial necrosis due to venous congestion. There was no complete flap loss in any of the patients. Patient satisfaction was excellent in all cases. CONCLUSION: RSFF is quick, versatile, and easy to apply; it also provides safe soft tissue coverage, requires no microvascular repair, and provides an alternative to microsurgical reconstruction.

OBJETIVO: Este estudo apresenta os resultados de 25 pacientes consecutivos e avalia o sucesso do retalho fasciocutâneo sural de fluxo reverso (RFSR) na cobertura da região do pé e tornozelo. MÉTODOS: Foram analisados 25 pacientes com defeitos de partes moles na parte inferior da perna, pé ou tornozelo com RFSR, de janeiro de 2010 a janeiro de 2017. Na avaliação dos pacientes, o formulário preparado pela clínica foi utilizado e os seguintes dados foram coletados: idade, seguimento, sexo, etiologia, tamanho do defeito, complicações e grau de satisfação do paciente. RESULTADOS: O tempo médio de seguimento foi de 18 meses. Em todos os pacientes, os defeitos foram totalmente cobertos. Três pacientes desenvolveram necrose parcial devido à congestão venosa. Não houve perda total do retalho em nenhum dos pacientes. O grau de satisfação dos pacientes foi excelente em todos os casos. CONCLUSÃO: O retalho fasciocutâneo sural reverso é rápido, versátil e fácil de aplicar. Além disso, fornece uma cobertura de tecidos moles segura, não requer reparo microvascular e é uma alternativa à reconstrução microcirúrgica.

Prognostic factors in sensory recovery after digital nerve repair.

OBJECTIVE: The prognostic factors that affect sensory nerve recovery after digital nerve repair are variable because of nonhomogeneous data, subjective tests, and different assessment/scoring methods. The aim of this study was to evaluate the success of sensory nerve recovery after digital nerve repair and to investigate the prognostic factors in sensorial healing. METHODS: Ninety-six digital nerve repairs of 63 patients were retrospectively evaluated. All nerves were repaired with end-to-end neurorraphy. The static two-point discrimination (s2PD) and Semmes Weinstein monofilament (SWM) tests were performed to evaluate sensory recovery. The association between prognostic factors such as gender, age, involved digit, time from injury to repair, length of follow-up, smoking, concomitant injuries, type of injury, and sensory recovery results were assessed. RESULTS: The s2PD test demonstrated excellent results in 26 nerves (27%), good results in 61 nerves (64%), and poor results in 9 nerves (9%). The results of the SWM test according to Imai classification showed that 31 nerves (32%) were normal, light touch was diminished in 38 nerves (40%), protective sensation was diminished in 17 nerves (18%), loss of protective sensation occurred in 5 nerves (5%), and 5 nerves (5%) were anesthetic. There was a negative relationship between age, smoking, concomitant injuries, and sensory recovery. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that concomitant tendon, bone and vascular injuries, older age, and smoking were associated with worse sensory nerve recovery results. However, all digital nerve injuries should be repaired, regardless of these prognostic factors.

Characteristics of injuries caused by paragliding accidents: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: This study was undertaken to analyze the characteristics and risk factors relating to fatalities and injuries caused by paragliding. METHODS: The judicial examination reports and hospital documents of 82 patients traumatized in 64 accidents during 242 355 paragliding jumps between August 2004 and September 2011 were analyzed. RESULTS: In these accidents, 18 of the 82 patients lost their lives. In the patients with a confirmed cause of accident, most of them were involved with multiple fractures and internal organ injuries (n=8, 44.4%). CONCLUSION: We investigated the incidence of paragliding injuries, the types of the injuries, and the severity of affected anatomical regions. The findings are significant for the prevention of paragliding injuries and future research.

Subacromial osteochondroma: A rare cause of impingement syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Subacromial impingement syndrome is one of the most common disorders of shoulder. Scapula is a very rare site for osteochondromas, and osteochondromas arising under the acromion cause impingement syndrome. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We presented 34-year old female patient with subacromial impingement syndrome secondary to osteochondroma. She had received conservative treatment several times in other clinics. The osteochondroma causing impingement was not diagnosed. Physical examination of the right shoulder revealed 90° flexion, 70° abduction, 20° external rotation and internal rotation to sacrum. X-ray, CT and MRI of the shoulder was obtained. Osteochondroma of the acromion (35×33×25mm) causing impingement was detected. The osteochondroma of acromion compressed, displaced and ruptured the supraspinatus tendon. Also an osseous prominence of glenoid was detected during shoulder arthroscopy, and it was removed arthroscopically. The giant osteochondroma of acromion could not remove arthroscopically due to the size of the lesion, and it was removed totally through a mini open approach. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of osteochondroma. DISCUSSION: Scapular, clavicular and humeral osteochondromas cause impingement syndrome. Osteochondroma should be treated with total excision. Recurrences can be seen due to insufficient removal of osteochondromas. We think that, total excision is important to prevent recurrence. Subacromial osteochondroma is a very rare cause of impingement syndrome, and if it isn't diagnosed early it limits shoulder movements, causes severe shoulder impingement and rotator cuff tear. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of subacromial osteochondroma should be considered in any patient with shoulder impingement syndrome and good functional results can be expected following total excision.

Posterior fixation of thoracolumbar burst fractures: is it possible to protect one segment in the lumbar region?

BACKGROUND: The treatment for thoracolumbar burst fractures is controversial. The aim of this retrospective study was to compare intermediate-segment (IS) and long-segment (LS) instrumentation in the treatment for these fractures. METHODS: IS instrumentation was considered as pedicle fixation two levels above and one level below the fractured vertebra (infra-laminar hooks attached to lower vertebra with pedicle screws). LS instrumentation was done two levels above and two levels below the fractured vertebra. Among a total of 25 consecutive patients, Group 1 included ten patients treated by IS pedicle fixation, whereas Group 2 included fifteen patients treated by LS instrumentation. RESULTS: The measurements of local kyphosis (p = 0.955), sagittal index (p = 0.128), anterior vertebral height compression (p = 0.230) and canal diameter expansion (p = 0.839) demonstrated similar improvement at the final follow-up between the two groups. However, there was a significant difference (p < 0.05) between Group 1 and Group 2 regarding clinical outcome [Hannover scoring system, Oswestry disability questionnaire and the range of motion of the lumbar region compared to neutral (0°)]. CONCLUSIONS: The radiographic parameters were the same between the two groups. However, the clinical parameters demonstrated that IS instrumentation is a more effective management of thoracolumbar burst fractures.

[Ilizarov augmentation in the treatment of humeral shaft nonunions developing after failed intramedullary nailing]. / Basarisiz intramedüller çivi uygulamasi sonrasi gelisen humerus cisim kaynamamalarinda Ilizarov güçlendirme tedavisi.

OBJECTIVES: In this study, we presented our experience with Ilizarov augmentation in the treatment of patients with humeral shaft nonunion following failed intramedullary nail fixation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seven patients (4 females, 3 males; mean age 47 years; range 32 to 62 years) with established humeral nonunions following antegrade intramedullary nailing were evaluated retrospectively. In all patients an Ilizarov fixator was applied over the nail as a closed procedure. The average period between the first injury and fixator application was 12.2 months (range 8 to 21). The patients were assessed radiologically with respect to bony union at follow-up. Constant scoring was used to assess shoulder function in the clinical evaluation. RESULTS: All nonunions healed without a major complication. Five patients had superficial pin tract infections which responded well to antibiotic treatment. The follow-up average Constant score was 78. CONCLUSION: Ilizarov external fixation is an alternative and effective method in the treatment of aseptic humeral shaft nonunion following failed intramedullary nailing.

Arthrodesis of neuropathic ankle joint by Ilizarov fixator in diabetic patients.

BACKGROUND: Fusion of the neuropathic ankle joint is extremely difficult and associated with many complications. The use of the Ilizarov fixator in ankle fusion for patients with neuropathic arthropathy is not clear. We aimed to evaluate the results of the Ilizarov method for ankle arthrodesis in diabetic patients with neuropathic arthropathy. METHODS: We report the results of neuropathic ankle joint arthrodesis performed with the Ilizarov apparatus in 11 patients. The mean age of the patients was 51 years (range, 35-67 years), all patients were diabetic, and they all had a history of ankle trauma unresponsive to conservative treatment. Deformity and instability of the ankle resulting in a nonplantigrade foot was the operative indication. RESULTS: Solid fusion was obtained in all patients except one, at an average of 16.1 weeks (range, 12-20 weeks). At final follow-up, excellent results were obtained in three patients, good in six, fair in one, and poor in one. No major complication occurred. CONCLUSIONS: The Ilizarov fixator may be an alternative and effective means for neuropathic ankle arthrodesis, especially when the usage of internal fixation methods have some limitations.

Fracture dislocation of sacroiliac joint associated with triradiate cartilage injury in a child: a case report.

We report a very rare injury of a 8-year-old girl with sacroiliac fracture dislocation and triradiate cartilage separation. After the restoration of the sacroiliac joint by open means, reduction of the separated cartilage was seen. At 20 months follow-up, an osseous bridging at the triradiate cartilage and mild coxa valga deformity developed. We think that every child with serious sacroiliac joint injury should be evaluated for associated triradiate cartilage injury and followed to skeletal maturity for late complications such as acetabular dysplasia, hip subluxation and pelvic asymmetry.

[In vitro evaluation of gentamicin and teicoplanin release from cancellous human bone]. / Insan süngerimsi kemiginden gentamisin ve teikoplanin saliniminin in vitro degerlendirilmesi.

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to determine the in vitro antibacterial activity of gentamicin- or teicoplanin-impregnated human cancellous bone as a local antibiotic carrier. METHODS: The study samples were obtained from human cancellous bone within the femur head in seven patients who underwent partial or total hip arthroplasty. Bone specimens were processed and incubated with gentamicin or teicoplanin for an hour. Control bone specimens were soaked in sterile saline solution for the same duration. Antibiotic release of bone specimens was assessed by the disc diffusion technique after 1, 3, 7, 10, 14. 18, and 21 days of antibiotic impregnation, with seven samples in each group. The test strains were E. coli ATCC 25922 for gentamicin, and S. aureus ATCC 25923 for teicoplanin. In vitro antibiotic efficacy was defined as an inhibition zone diameter of = or >15 mm for gentamicin, and = or >14 mm for teicoplanin. RESULTS: Evaluation of inhibition zone diameters showed that bone-teicoplanin complexes had a longer duration of antibiotic release than that of bone-gentamicin complexes (12 to 18 days vs 7 to 10 days). There was no inhibition in the control group. There were no significant differences in inhibition zone diameters of teicoplanin- and gentamicin-treated specimens on the first and third days; however, teicoplanin exhibited significantly greater zone diameters on the seventh (p=0.008) and tenth (p=0.003) days. CONCLUSION: Our data show that, under appropriate conditions, human cancellous bone incorporates a considerable amount of teicoplanin and exhibits effective antibiotic release for approximately two weeks.