In vitro Analysis of Antimicrobial Properties of Cefuroxime Impregnated Bone Cement

Infection after joint replacement surgery is problematic and difficult to treat. The utility of antibiotic laden bone cement for reduction of risk of infection in primary and revision joint replacement surgery has already been established in many studies. In this study, we examined the efficacy of bone cement containing cefuroxime, employing a modified in vitro Kirby-Bauer susceptibility model for investigation of 13 strains of organisms that are found in orthopaedic infections. Organisms investigated were broad spectrum and effective for Gram-positive, Gram-negative, aerobic organisms and anaerobes. Simplex P with added cefuroxime was effective against 8 out of 13 strains. Cefuroxime is stable during exothermic polymerisation of the cement, and is released from the cement at concentrations high enough to inhibit the growth of most organisms encountered after joint arthroplasty