Adsorption and release of antibiotics from morselized cancellous bone. In vitro studies of 8 antibiotics.

We studied the basic release patterns of antibiotics from cancellous bone in vitro. Antibiotic-impregnated bone was compressed into a wire-mesh cylinder and the release of antibiotic was assessed by two different in vitro methods: agar diffusion and broth elution. The zones of inhibition were measured on seeded agar and the amounts of antibiotics released in elution tubes were assessed by a bioassay. The study continued for 21 days with daily transfer of the cylinders. The results indicated that benzylpenicillin, dicloxacillin, cephalotin, netilmicin, clindamycin, vancomycin, ciprofloxacin and rifampicin were adsorbed to cancellous bone in vitro. Compared to broth elution, agar diffusion showed a prolonged period of release, owing to the small amounts of antibiotic leaking out of the cylinder into the agar. The betalactams had antibacterial activity in broth for a shorter time than the other antibiotics. The release patterns of the betalactams were similar, in spite of their differences in thermal stability. Only rifampicin showed a concentration higher than MIC for longer than 21 days.