European Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine

Introduction: Bacterial infections are one of the most devastating complications in the field of orthopaedicsurgery.Increasing incidence of open fractures leading to higher infection rates. Infection control can be achieved by meticulous surgical debridement and microbial specific antibiotic administration. Local antibiotic delivery is a way to deliver high concentration of drug locally even to avascular areas that are inaccessible by systemic antibiotics. AIM:The present study was designed to evaluate clinical outcome of orthopaedic infections which are managed by local antibiotic delivery system. Material and methods:This is a prospective study, for a period of 16 months, carried out in 32 patients posted for surgical debridement for bone & joint infections.  For evaluation of outcome we used Asepsis wound score, radiological, hematological and microbiological investigations. Results: In the 32 patients analyzed, 21.8%  were in age group of 18-30 years ,of which 71.4% had satisfactory outcome. 50 % were in age group of 30-50, of which 81.25% had satisfactory outcome and 28% were > 50 years , of which only 44% had satisfactory outcome. Overall infection was controlled satisfactorily in 68.75 % of patients by usinglocal antibiotic delivery system. In our study most common organism isolated was MRSA (37.5%), Followed by MSSA (31.25%). Conclusion: Systemic antibiotic therapy may not provide a minimum inhibitory concentration for prolonged period and which is further worsened due to decreased blood supply, secondary  to scarring. By using local antibiotic delivery system ,we can control infection effectively by delivering high concentration of drug locally. And also, this system decreases the risk of complications due to systemic antibiotics such as end organ failure and GIT side effects.