The effectiveness of various antibiotics in methyl methacrylate.

The effectiveness of different antibiotics mixed with Simplex P has been tested in vitro. A laboratory model was designed to simulate the constant immersion of bone cement in tissue fluid. Clindamycin, and to a lesser extent Cephalothin, were shown to be effective when used in this manner against Staphylococcus aureus and epidermidis. Effective inhibition of Gram-negative organisms could not be demonstrated with any of the antibiotics tested. The addition of up to 3 grams of antibiotic powder per unit of 40 grams of Simplex P did not appear to alter the expansive properties of the cement. Such release of antibiotics as did occur was thought to be related to the slow absorption of water by the slightly porous methyl methacrylate.