In Vitro Elution Characteristics of Gentamicin and Vancomycin from Synthetic Bone Graft Substitutes

OBJECTS: Beta tricalciumphosphate pellets loaded with individualized antibiotics may represent novel options in the treatment of osteomyelitis and infectious bone disease. Here, the in vitro antibiotic elution of vancomycin and gentamicin from the synthetic bone graft substitutes Cerasorb(®) and Cerasorb M(®) was tested. METHODS: Antibiotic elution and concentration of gentamcin and vancomycin were measured using photometrically-based measurement and homogeneous particle-enhanced turbidimetric inhibition immunoassays (PETINIA). RESULTS: Initially both materials showed a high release of the loaded antibiotics, with Cerasorb M(®) showing lower release levels for gentamicin and vancomycin than Cerasorb(®). Gentamicin concentrations of Cerasorb M granules and Cerasorb were below the minimum detectiontreshold until day four and six of the experiment respectively. The vancomycin release-level followed a similar pattern, although the vancomycin concentration eluted by Cerasorb M(®) granules stayed above the detection threshold during the experimental time. CONCLUSIONS: Cerasorb(®) and Cersorb M(®) may represent a new treatment option in osteomyelitis and infectious bone disease.