Topical vancomycin and its effect on survival and migration of osteoblasts, fibroblasts, and myoblasts: An in vitro study.

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of topical vancomycin on cell migration and survival of tissue healing cells. Human osteoblasts, myoblasts and fibroblasts were exposed to vancomycin at concentrations of 1, 3, 6, or 12 mg/cm2 for either a 1-h or 48-h (continuous) duration. Continuous exposure to all vancomycin concentrations significantly reduced cell survival (<22% cells survived) and migration in osteoblasts and myoblasts (P < 0.001). 1-h vancomycin exposure reduced osteoblast and myoblast survival and migration only at 12 mg/cm2 (P < 0.001). Further in vivo studies are warranted to optimize the dosage of intrawound vancomycin.