Early Clinical Experience with Silver-Ion Doped Synthetic Bone Grafts for the Treatment of Chronic Bone Infections: A Retrospective Study.

Background/

Objectives

Chronic bone infections require local antimicrobial delivery to achieve high drug concentrations while limiting systemic toxicity. Silver ion-doped calcium phosphate synthetic bone grafts have been proposed as carriers for local antimicrobial release. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a silver ion-doped synthetic bone graft in patients with chronic osteomyelitis, infected nonunion, or implant-related bone infection.

Methods

This retrospective cohort included 12 adults who underwent surgery for chronic osteomyelitis or implant-associated infection. All patients received thorough debridement, removal of infected implants when present, and filling of bone defects with a silver ion-doped calcium phosphate graft. The median age was 38 years, and follow-up was 12 months. Clinical and radiographic outcomes, liver and kidney function tests, and blood silver levels were assessed pre- and postoperatively.

Results

Infection eradication was achieved in 11 of 12 patients (90%) at 12 months. Functional recovery, defined as return to normal daily activities, occurred within 3-5 months. Bone union was observed in all but one patient within 3-6 months, and no graft resorption was detected at one year. No significant differences in liver or kidney function tests were found compared with the control group (p > 0.05), and blood silver levels remained within normal limits.

Conclusions

At 12-month follow-up, silver ion-doped synthetic bone grafts showed encouraging safety and efficacy in the treatment of chronic osteomyelitis. These findings suggest that silver-doped grafts may represent a useful option for one-stage treatment of osteomyelitis.