[Treatment of bone infections with gentamicin-containing acrylic cement beads. Prognostic value of the study of the suction drainage fluid].

Treatment of bone infections with gentamicin-PMMA beads is an adjunct to conventional surgery. Early failures occurred in a number of cases, due to technical problems, such as incomplete debridement, residual alloplastic material, or gentamicin-resistant pathogens. To evaluate short term results of the method, clinical and bacteriological pre-therapy data were compared with results obtained two and six weeks after surgery, in 25 patients. Gentamicin concentrations, gentamicin levels/MBC for gentamicin, and bactericidal activity in secretions collected from suction drainage were not correlated with outcome. Cultures from the drains were the best parameters: cultures remained positive throughout follow-up in patient with poor clinical results.