Local delivery of antibiotics via an implantable pump in the treatment of osteomyelitis.

Twenty-one patients with osteomyelitis were treated with surgical debridement and local antibiotic therapy. Amikacin (19 patients) or netilmicin (2 patients) was delivered locally via a pump implanted subcutaneously. The outflow catheters were led from the pump subcutaneously to the infected area and placed in the defect created by the surgical debridement. The pump was refilled at intervals, on an outpatient basis. The pump was surgically removed at the conclusion of therapy. Follow-up evaluation was for 12-27 months. The duration of hospitalization was five to 52 days (mean, 23 days). The infusions were sustained for 32-140 days (mean, 63 days). Systemic levels of antibiotics were always below acceptable trough levels. Levels in the wound drainage of the 11 patients who drained after operation were always greater than the upper limit of the assay. Nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity were determined using pre- and posttherapy creatinine clearances and audiograms. Two patients exhibited minimal nephrotoxicity (creatinine clearance of 66 ml/minute and 55 ml/minute; normal, 70 ml/minute). There were no other adverse effects of the antibiotics. Sixteen patients have not drained since removal of the pumps.