Prevention of bone infection after open fracture using a chitosan with ciprofloxacin implant in animal model¹

Purpose  To evaluate different concentrations of ciprofloxacin to prevent infection after open fracture contaminated with S. aureus in rats using absorbable local delivery system.

Methods  Fifty-two Wistar rats were assigned to six groups. After 4 weeks, all animals underwent 99mTc-ceftizoxima scintigraphy evaluation, callus formation measurement and histological analysis. ANOVA, t-Student and Kruskal Wallis were used for quantitative variables statistical analysis, whereas qui square and exact Fisher were used for qualitative variables.

Results  Treatment using 25% and 50% of ciprofloxacin incorporated at the fracture fixation device were effective in preventing bone infection compared to control group (p<0.05). Chitosan were not effective in preventing bone infection when used alone compared to control group (p>0.05). Histological findings demonstrated bone-healing delay with 50% of ciprofloxacin. No difference in callus formation were observed (p>0.05).

Conclusion  Local delivery treatment for contaminated open fracture using chitosan with ciprofloxacin is effective above 25%.

Osteitis; Chitosan; Ciprofloxacin; Fractures, Open; Rats