Percutaneous re-circulating isolated limb perfusion of gentamicin in a large animal model: targeted delivery of gentamicin to limb.

OBJECTIVE: We have developed a percutaneous recirculation system (V-Vascular, V-V) to enable delivery of high levels of antibiotic to the limb in an isolated and targeted manner for the treatment of limb infection.
BACKGROUND: Chronic and acute limb infections are relatively commonplace in a variety of wound types. Infection can become refractory to existing treatment strategies and can cause complications associated with wound healing, lead to amputation and even death.
METHODS: Gentamicin was delivered to the ovine hind limb (4 mg/kg) using the V-V system, a 'closed' recirculatory catheter system that draws blood from the venous system and returns it to the artery via an oxygenator, or via intra-venous (IV) infusion. Samples of muscle, bone and synovial fluid of the limb were collected at 30 and 60 min post administration of gentamicin.
RESULTS: There was a significantly greater concentration of gentamicin observed in the bone and skeletal muscle of limbs receiving the antibiotic via V-V at 30 min post administration compared to IV delivery, (bone V-V 0.05 ± 0.04, I.V 0.004 ± 0.001 mg/L p<0.05; muscle V-V 0.005 ± 0.001, I.V 0.002 ± 0.0005 mg/L p<0.05) and bone and synovial fluid at 60 min post administration (bone V-V 0.06 ± 0.02, I.V 0.005 ± 0.001 mg/L p<0.05; synovial fluid V-V 34.58 ± 14.9, I.V 3.03 ± 0.59 mg/L p<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the use of percutaneous recirculation is a safe and effective method for delivering a greater concentration of antibiotic to the limb without systemic implications.