Mechanical Behaviour of Orthopaedic Cement Loaded with Antibiotics in the Operation Room

Abstract

Using antibiotic impregnated cement is an important mean to treat and prevent periprostetic joint infections. This complication requires for treatment important financial and technical resources. Adding antibiotics to orthopaedic cement may alter its mechanical properties with possible reduced time of prosthesis survival rate. This study analyze the mechanical properties of cement mixed with antibiotics in the operation room, which helps reducing costs and permit a more specific antibiotic local therapy. All tested antibiotics used in this study does not change the mechanical behavior of the orthopaedic cement when mixed in therapeutic doses, all alterations seems to be at a level below clinical significance. Mixing antibiotics in Orthopedic cement leads to minor decrease of the mechanical properties for cefazolin, cefuroxime, ceftazidime, meropenem and vancomycin and a mechanical significant decrease for gentamicin and clindamycin.