1application of antibiotic impregnated pellets and beads for the treatment of open fractures in veterinary patients

Beads and pellets which are impregnated by antibiotics have been used in local bacterial infections to prevent and treat these diseases. in fact, they can be used not only prophylactically but therapeutically. surgical site infections, orthopedic infections appear in open fractures, neuro-vascular injuries and periodontal disorders can be treated by such antibiotic beads and pellets. they also can be used in moist environments of open fractures. antibiotic beads and pellets can deliver a high concentration of local antibiotic without systemic toxicity induction that may occur in systemic antibiotic uses. they impede colonization of bacteria and desiccation of tendons and bones. calcium phosphate, calcium sulfate, and chitosan are the group of antibiotic beads that are absorbable while polymethylmethacrylate (pmma) and hydroxyapatite ceramic are the most common non-absorbable materials used as therapeutic implants. one of the disadvantages of non-absorbable materials is that they should be removed and it needs a second procedure to be done. despite that the presence of pmma in osteomyelitis incidence, bone healing will be suppressed, calcium sulfate compositions induce bone formation, bone modeling and improve cartilaginous surface in contact with the defect. there are different antibiotics which can be used in this approach such as amikacin, penicillin, vancomycin, tetracycline and metronidazole. the antibiotic coated beads and pellets also can be used in wound management process until developing enough amounts of granulation and soft tissue to cover the defect.