Do Antibiotic Beads Need to be Removed

Background: Polymethylmethacrylate antibiotic impregnated beads can be an effective treatment for chronic osteomyelitis or an adjuvant in the treatment of open fractures. It remains unclear however whether the beads cause long-term adverse events if not removed. The purpose of this study was to determine if removal of antibiotic beads was required in order to avoid long term complications. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted on patients with an extremity or pelvis fracture that had implantation of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) antibiotic beads over a five-year period. Results: Fifty-one patients met inclusion criteria for this study; thirty-seven patients (73%) did not have complications after surgical debridement and placement of PMMA antibiotic beads necessitating removal. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that polymethylmethacrylate antibiotic beads can be utilized as a means of delivering high-dose concentrations of local antibiotics and do not have to be removed in all patients. Level of Evidence: Level III, Therapeutic-Investigating the results of a treatment