Use of ceftazidime-impregnated polymethyl methacrylate beads in the treatment of Pseudomonas osteomyelitis.

Overview

Antibiotic-impregnated polymethyl methacrylate beads have been used in other countries to treat osteomyelitis. The drug of choice for this has historically been gentamicin. The authors have chosen ceftazidime to treat iatrogenic Pseudomonas aeruginosa osteomyelitis in rabbit femurs. After implanting the beads, the rabbits were killed at various times in the treatment period. Rabbits were killed at 15 days and later showed no signs of current osteomyelitis, including cultures and histologic examination. Blood antibiotic levels were measured at euthanasia and were minimal for all animals. It appears that ceftazidime may be an effective alternative to gentamicin, especially in treating gentamicin-resistant P. aeruginosa.