In vitro elution of ofloxacin from a bioabsorbable polymer.

A drawback with antibiotic-loaded polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) beads is the second surgical procedure that may be required to remove the beads. We explored alternatives for the local delivery of antimicrobials and studied the release characteristics of ofloxacin (10 mg) when incorporated into either 30 or 50 mg beads of two different molar ratios of a bioabsorbable lactide: glycolide polymer. An elution method was employed over a 60-day period at 37 degrees C. After 60 days, about half of the ofloxacin had been released from the composites containing 50 mg and 30 mg of the 85:15 polymer, whereas nearly all of the ofloxacin had been released from both sizes of the 50:50 polymer composites.