Decreasing Osteomyelitis Occurrence in Remaining Bone After Partially Resected Infected Bone.

BACKGROUND

After partial bone resection for osteomyelitis there is a high rate of osteomyelitis occurrence in the remaining bone due to adherent bacterial biofilm, dysvascular infected spongiosum bone, and absence of a surgical technique that can prevent osteomyelitis developing in the remaining bone.

METHODS

Presented is a surgical procedure using a dicalcium phosphate bone void filler putty with antibiotics placed into the remaining bone to prevent the development of osteomyelitis, therefore preventing amputation.

RESULTS

This procedure has an osteomyelitis eradication rate of 94.8% and also decreases the rate of lower-extremity amputations.

CONCLUSIONS

This procedure provides a single stage surgical technique for infected open bone defects decreasing the previously reported high osteomyelitis reoccurrence rate of 57.1% to 5.2%.