Effectiveness of Chitosan Films Impregnated With Ciprofloxacin for the Prophylaxis of Osteomyelitis in Open Fractures: An Experimental Study in Rats

Background: The systemic antimicrobial prophylaxis is the standard treatment in the prevention of osteomyelitis after open fractures, with topical application of antimicrobials as an alternative due to their high concentrations at the site of the fracture, low systemic concentrations and fewer side effects. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of prophylaxis of osteomyelitis through experimental model of open fractures with the use of chitosan films, whether or not impregnated with ciprofloxacin. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 24 Holtzman rats were distributed into 4 groups of 6 rats each. The CT (control of treatment) group: an open fracture model treated with systemic antimicrobial; the IC (infection control) group: an open fracture untreated model; the C (chitosan) group: an open fracture model treated using a chitosan film; and the CA (chitosan with antimicrobial) group: an open fracture model treated using a chitosan film impregnated with antimicrobial. After 3 weeks the animals were killed by an overdose of anesthetic, and a fragment osseous was removed for histological and microbiological analysis. The comparisons between the groups considered significant values of P ≤ 0.05. Results: In cultures of the CT group, there was less bacterial growth compared to the results of the cultures of the IC (P = 0.005), C (P = 0.005) and CA (P = 0.009) groups. The inflammation was lower in the CT group compared to the IC (P = 0.014), C (P = 0.001) and CA (P = 0.007) groups. Conclusions: In this experimental model of open fracture, the chitosan film pure or impregnated with ciprofloxacin was not effective in the prophylaxis of osteomyelitis