An Interventional Study on Antibiotic Cement-coated Nails and Cement Beads in the Management of Infected Nonunion of Long Bones

Background: The present study was aimed to assess the efficacy of antibiotic cement-coated nails and cement beads among the cases of infected nonunion of long bones. Materials and methods: This prospective interventional study was conducted among the cases admitted in the emergency and outpatient department of Orthopedics in Patna Medical College and Hospital, Patna, with infected nonunion of long bones, during the month of June 2010 to August 2012. All cases with an infected nonunion of extremities with implants were included. A total of 44 cases were included. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 17. Results: In this study, out of 44 infected nonunion, 40 were cured of infection, 3 cases had occasional discharge, and 1 case had a continuous discharge. Secondary procedures were done for the 40 cured cases and among them, 37 showed complete achievement of union, and 3 cases had occasional discharge and no case had a continuous discharge. Conclusion: The use of antibiotic cement-coated nails and cement beads among the cases with infected nonunion of long bones significantly reduced the requirement of a further surgical procedure like debridement of the wound site.