In-vitro analysis of the effect of gentamicin and polyhexanide on bone tissue

Purpose Though anti-infectives have been used for a long time in surgical procedures, the effect on bone tissue has not been determined for most antibiotics and antiseptics. Methods In our in vitro study, 4x4x8 mm 3 blocks of rabbit cancellous bone tissue were incubated with Ringer’s solution, gentamicin and Lavasorb® each for time intervals of 15 minutes, 30 minutes, one hour, four hours and eight hours. Samples were examined double blinded through optical and electron microscopy. Results Tissue degeneration was observed in all samples. It was low in Ringer’s solution. Samples with Lavasorb showed a moderate degeneration after 15 and 30 minutes, which was accelerated after one hour. Gentamicin led to a moderate degeneration of bone tissue after 15 and 30 minutes and to a more accelerated degeneration after one hour. The effect of gentamicin on bone tissue was more pronounced than the effect of Lavasorb. Conclusions This investigation showed that local application of Lavasorb or gentamicin on bone tissue should be restricted to 30 minutes, while Lavasorb showed a better tissue tolerability. This finding could have clinical implications for the management of wounds with open osseous tissue and should be further investigated by in vivo studies.