Are antibiotic coated rods (ACRs) and antibiotic coated plates (ACPs) an acceptable alternative to cement only implants?

Are antibiotic coated rods (ACRs) and antibiotic coated plates (ACPs) an acceptable alternative to cement only implants?

Authors: Volker Alt, J. Tracy Watson

RECOMMENDATION: Antibiotic-loaded polymethyl methacrylate (AL-PMMA) spacers can be considered an established treatment concept for local antibiotic delivery in osteomyelitis and implant-associated infections. ACRs and ACPs can also be of value in specific indications, mainly infected non-unions, in order to address both local delivery of antibiotics and biomechanically stable fixation of the non-union site to allow for possible spontaneous bone consolidation.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Limited

DELEGATE VOTE: Agree: 91%, Disagree: 5%, Abstain: 4% (Super Majority, Strong Consensus)

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