BIODEGRADABLE ORTHOPEDIC IMPLANT: FABRICATION AND EVALUATION

Osteomyelitis is one of the most serious complications of the orthopedic open fracture treatment. Prolonged release local antibiotic therapy has been taken into consideration due to side effects encountered in long term high‐dose antibiotic use and the duration of hospitalization of the patients. This study was aimed to develop a biodegradable orthopedic implant that is able to rele ase the drug for atleast six weeks at a concentration above the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration. Polylactide‐co‐glycolide (PLGA) and polycaprolactone(PCL) were used as the biodegradable carrier systems, whereas gatifloxacin as the antibiotic. Gatifloxacin is an effective new broad‐spectrum floroquinolone with antibacterial activity. Gatifloxacin is indicated for the treatment of most of the tissue infections like osteomyelitis. The implants were prepared by injection molding method. The polymers were dissolved in a solvent and the drug was added with continuous stirring. This drug mixed polymer solution was then filled in syringe and forced into a mould cavity by applying pressure to the syringe. The implants were evaluated for dimensional analysis, hardness, drug content, content uniformity, sterility, in‐vitro drug release and surface characteristics of formulated beads before and after release. The implants showed hardness of 8.47 kg/cm2, drug content of 97.4%, and content uniformity. The implants released 91% of drug over a time period of 55 days. Thus promising results were shown by the implants and can be used in treatment of osteomyelitis.