Should antibiotic cement rods (ACRs) be left permanently in situ?

Author: Volker Alt

RECOMMENDATION: If the ACR is used as a temporary non-locked implant for infection control, it should be removed and replaced by a biomechanically stable construct (e.g., locked intramedullary nail). If the ACR is used as a locked implant for both local delivery of antibiotics and provision of stable biomechanical conditions for consolidation of the non-union site, it can be left in place.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Limited

DELEGATE VOTE: Agree: 70%, Disagree: 30%, Abstain: 0% (Super Majority, Weak Consensus)

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