The in vitro elution characteristics of antibiotic-loaded CMW and Palacos-R bone cements.

An in vitro study was carried out comparing the elution characteristics of Palacos-R and CMW acrylic cements. Three groups of 6 antibiotic-loaded cement disks were prepared, incorporating 1.0 g vancomycin and 2.4 g tobramycin per 40 g packet of cement. Palacos-R bone cement was used for group 1, CMW 1 for group 2, and CMW 3 for group 3. The disks were placed in saline baths for 9 weeks. The baths were periodically sampled and elution rates calculated. CMW 1 released 24% less tobramycin and 36% less vancomycin than Palacos-R over the total study period (P < .05). CMW 3 released 34% less tobramycin and 38% less vancomycin than Palacos-R (P < .05). There was no significant difference in antibiotic release between CMW 1 and CMW 3. The in vitro elution characteristics of Palacos-R are superior to CMW.