The use of antibiotic-containing bead chains in the treatment of chronic bone infections.

The implantation of gentamicin polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) chains or minichains into infected osteomyelitic cavities is a well-established local antibiotic therapy supplementary to radical debridement. The gentamicin concentrations achieved at the site of infection are far above the MICs for most common pathogens in chronic osteomyelitis. Serum and urine concentrations are low, and nephrotoxic and ototoxic side-effects of this form of gentamicin application are not to be feared. Under local antibiotic therapy with gentamicin PMMA chains, primary wound healing as in aseptic surgery can be expected. Prolonged systemic antibiotic therapy is unnecessary. In a series of 405 cases, a success rate of 90.4% was obtained.