Role of antibiotic-impregnated bone cement rod in control of bone infection and assessing its role in union in cases of infective nonunion of long bones

INTRODUCTION: Managing and treating infected nonunion is one of the most challenging clinical scenarios despite numerous advances in the fixation methods, soft-tissue management, and antibiotic therapy. The infection of the fracture site causes internal fixation to become unstable and it slows down fracture healing. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To assess role of antibiotic-impregnated bone cement rod in control of bone infection and assessing its role in union in cases of infective nonunion of long bones. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective study comprising of 30 cases of established infected nonunion of long bones carried out in a tertiary care center in Western Maharashtra. Patients of nonunion of long bone diaphysis with established clinical and laboratory evidence of infection were included in the study. RESULTS: Twenty-one cases showed complete union at 6 months or earlier. Two more cases showed significant callus formation. In three cases, there was no callus formation at fracture site till 6 months. DISCUSSION: Various authors in their studies confirmed that gentamicin and vancomycin are antibiotics which maintain activity even after being exposed to the high temperatures resulting from poly (methyl methacrylate) hardening. CONCLUSION: From our study, we confirm that the use of antibiotic-impregnated bone cement rod has a significant role in control of bone infection and also assists in union in cases of infective nonunion of long bones.