Elution and mechanical properties of antifungal bone cement.

The effect of the incorporation of amphotericin B into bone cement was examined; as literature suggests, this may be a feasible method for the treatment of periprosthetic fungal infections. Addition of antifungal increased the compressive strength of the bone cement--a statistically significant amount from 107 +/- 2.3 to 121 +/- 1.5 MPa. Elution of tobramycin and amphotericin B was quantified using ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. Spectroscopy showed that 18% of the antibiotic was released during the first week, with most released in the first 24 hours. The elution of antifungal, however, was unable to be detected after 1 week, with less than 0.03% released. Amphotericin B does not weaken bone cement. Its inability to be delivered at a clinically significant dose gives no clear indication for its incorporation into cement.