In recent decades, there has been a growing emphasis on the use of local antibiotics in orthopaedic surgery, but development of new technologies has been limited. In this study we observe that a 1.5 mL injection of the novel technology CarboCell G/C into the bone provides very high levels of the antibiotics gentamicin and clindamycin in bones, with almost no spill to the bloodstream. These findings bolster the prospect of new and improved technologies for combatting orthopaedic infections.

To improve the existing knowledge and treatment of bone and joint infections, it is essential to unite medical disciplines and bridge the gap between basic and clinical sciences. In 2018, the Centrum fOr translational Medicine on Bone and joint INfEctions (COMBINE) was created to facilitate collaboration among Danish scientists and researchers dedicated to bone and joint infection research. This paper aims to share the COMBINE approach and values.

This study consists of 26 patients with infection of the pubic symphysis. The authors believe that by drawing awareness to this condition patients may be diagnosed and undergo surgery faster; 21 of the patients had pelvic surgery before onset of pubic infection. The diagnostic delay was between 1 and 12 months. All patients underwent surgical debridement and received a minimum of 6 weeks antibiotic treatment; 23 patients had postoperative pain relief and 19 patients were ambulant without aids.

To evaluate bone and tissue concentrations following intraosseous vancomycin administration, eight pigs were injected with 500 mg vancomycin into the tibia followed by a 12 h sampling period. This provided high concentrations in the tibia bone nearby the injection site the entire period, though with a wide range of peak concentration. The systemic absorption was high and immediate, thus mirroring an intravenous administration. Low mean concentrations were found in adjacent tissue compartments.