Abstract
Background
In terms of eradication, osteomyelitis represents one of the most challenging infective conditions in medicine and surgery. In recent years, the use of bioactive glass in conjunction with antimicrobial therapy has emerged as a viable new treatment.
Aim
We present a short study, from a regional orthopaedic unit, demonstrating its successful use in three patients with chronic osteomyelitis.
Methods
Between September 2010 and May 2011, bioactive glass S53P4 was used in conjunction with intravenous and oral antibiotics to treat chronic osteomyelitis in three patients (two male, one female). All patients underwent debridement and sequestrectomy procedures with the insertion of bioactive glass followed by antimicrobial regimens tailored to isolated pathogen sensitivities. Patient age ranged from 28 to 68 years, with a mean age of 44.7 years. The presentation period, from time of initial diagnosis to treatment, varied from 16 months to 16 years and all three patients had underwent multiple previous debridements and antimicrobial regimens to no avail.
Results
A follow-up of 14–21 months has been achieved with a mean follow-up of 17.3 months. We have seen excellent results in all three patients. All haematological and biochemical parameters have returned to normal, pain has ceased and function has returned in the affected limbs. All antibiotics have stopped and there is no radiological evidence of osteomyelitis. The bioactive glass has integrated with the surrounding bone.
Conclusions
Though a relatively recent development, bioactive glass used in concurrence with antibiotic therapy has significant potential in the treatment of chronic osteomyelitis.
References
Lindfors NC et al (2010) Bioactive glass S53P4 as bone graft substitute in treatment of osteomyelitis. Bone 47:212–218
Paluska SA (2004) Osteomyelitis. Clin Family Prac 6:127–156
Konttinen YT et al (2001) Acid attack and cathepsin K in bone resorption around total hip replacement prosthesis. J Bone Miner Res 16:1780–1786
Geurts J et al (2011) Bone graft substitutes in active or suspected infection. Contra-indicated or not? Injury 42:S82–S86
Hench LL et al (1971) Bonding mechanisms at the interface of ceramic prosthetic materials. J Biomed Mater Res 5(6):117–141
Rahaman MN et al (2011) Bioactive glass in tissue engineering. Acta Biomater 7:2355–2373
Stoor P et al (1999) Interactions between the bioactive glass S53P4 and the atrophic rhinitis-associated microorganism Klebsiella ozaenae. J Biomed Mater Res 48:869–874
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
McAndrew, J., Efrimescu, C., Sheehan, E. et al. Through the looking glass; bioactive glass S53P4 (BonAlive®) in the treatment of chronic osteomyelitis. Ir J Med Sci 182, 509–511 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-012-0895-5
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-012-0895-5