What is absorbable antibiotic bead treatment?
Absorbable antibiotic bead treatment is a medical procedure in which small antibiotic-impregnated beads are placed into an infected wound or bone cavity to help fight infection. The beads are made of biodegradable material that gradually dissolves over time, releasing the antibiotic into the surrounding tissue.
What conditions qualify for absorbable antibiotic bead treatment?
If you have an infected bone, your doctor may treat it with medicated beads. These are placed into the bone to send medicine directly into the infection. And that’s helpful, because your bone may not have good blood flow. Lack of blood flow to the bone can keep antibiotics taken by mouth or by IV from reaching the infection.
This type of treatment is often used in cases where oral antibiotics have been ineffective in treating an infection, or in cases where the infection is difficult to reach with systemic antibiotics. The procedure involves surgically placing the beads directly into the affected area, where they remain for a period of time to release the antibiotic and help fight the infection.
Absorbable antibiotic bead treatment is typically used in cases of chronic osteomyelitis (Bone infection), where traditional antibiotic therapy alone is not sufficient to clear the infection. The beads can also be used in cases of infected wounds or in the treatment of joint infection, such as septic arthritis.
How are absorbable antibiotic beads placed?
To start, you are given medicine to put you to sleep. An incision is made in your skin to reach your infected bone. The infected area is cleaned. The doctor may remove infected parts of the bone. The beads are then packed into the bone. They will release medicine to kill the germs. Over time, the beads will break down, and your body will use them to grow healthy new bone.
When the surgery is done, the opening in your skin is closed and you are monitored.
This type of treatment is generally considered safe and effective, but it should only be performed by a qualified medical professional. The specific type and dose of antibiotic used will depend on the type and severity of the infection, as well as the patient’s overall health and medical history.
