Use of antibiotic-loaded bone cement for paediatric chronic osteomyelitis: a scoping review.

OBJECTIVE

To systematically map the research done on the use of antibiotic-loaded bone cement for paediatric chronic osteomyelitis.

METHODS

The scoping review was conducted in July 2023, and comprised research on PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, Google Scholar and ScienceDirect databases for original research articles on paediatric chronic osteomyelitis using antibiotic-loaded bone cement. Data items extracted included basic bibliographic details, patient demographics, patient presentation, pathogen, systemic and local antibiotic treatment, operative techniques, follow-up, outcomes, and complications.

RESULTS

Of the 1,569 studies identified, 158(10.07%) were assessed for eligibility, and, of them, 9(5.7%) were reviewed in detail. All the 9(100%) studies were retrospective, 6(66.6%) were case series, and 1(11.1%) was from a developing country. Of the total 73 patients in the studies, 58(79.5%) were males, and tibia was the most commonly involved bone 21(46%). Vancomycin was most commonly used in bone cement (60 (83.6%)). All 73 (100%) patients were infection-free at the end of the follow-up period, with no major complications in 55 (75.3%) patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Current literature on the use of antibiotic-loaded bone cement in paediatric chronic osteomyelitis is limited, but favours its use.