Abstract. Background: the treatment of infected non-union to allow for bony healing
following orthopedic surgery remains a challenge. Antibiotic-impregnated
calcium sulfate (AICS) is an effective vehicle for antibiotic delivery, but
its efficacy in treating infected non-union in the setting of trauma and
fracture remains unclear. Methods: this systematic review analyses nine
studies from 2002 to 2022 that investigated AICS as a local antibiotic
delivery system for cases of fracture-related infection and infected non-union.
Results: in total, 214 patients who received AICS were included in this
review. Of these patients, there were 154 cases of infected non-union or
fracture-related infection. Across all studies analyzed, patients treated
concurrently with AICS and systemic antibiotics experienced a 92.9 %
rate of bony union and a 95.1 % rate of infection eradication. In
addition, 100 % of the 13 patients who were treated with AICS alone
experienced eradication of infection and successful bony union. Conclusion:
AICS is an effective method of antibiotic delivery with a low risk profile
that results in high rates of bony union and infection eradication even when
used in the absence of systemic antibiotics.
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