Octenidine in combination with polymethylmethacrylate: a new option for preventing infection?

Orthopedic implant infections represent a serious complication for both patient and surgeon. In order to minimize this risk, it has become standard practice in surgery and orthopedics to add antimicrobial substances to the polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) bone cement. The aim of this study is to find new options for preventing infection by using alternative adjuvants in combination with PMMA. We hypothesized, that Octenidine, after being combined with PMMA, can be released in vitro and an antimicrobial efficacy of discharged Octenidine can be shown. Weckbach S, Möricke A, Braunwarth H, Goroncy-Bermes P, Bischoff M, Gebhard F. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 2011 Aug 30. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 21877126