I Ceram : First antibiotic loaded ceramic implanted in femur for bone replacement

I.Ceram, specialized in innovative orthopedic implants and ceramic implants, announces the implantation of an antibiotic loaded ceramic in a femur. This surgery was performed in July 2017 on a teenager, for the replacement of a localized bone infection due to a resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

This disruptive therapeutic option is in line with I.Ceram strategy which aims to replace thanks to a simple and reliable technic, a part of or the whole bone diseased by an infection or a tumor.

The patient suffered from a chronic bone infection localized on the distal part of his right femur, following an open bone fracture. This infection lasted for almost 18 months. The involved bacterium was resistant to methicillin (MRSA) and to several other antibiotics. X-Ray and CT-Scan revealed bone destruction and an extension of inflammation to the entire distal part of the femur.

Surgeons used alumina ceramic CERAMIL® to replace the diseased part of the removed femur and the antibiotic loading to protect the implant from the bacteria that could have survived the operation. After removal of the infected and diseased parts of the bone, the custom piece was impacted in the cortical part of the bone and stitched to it to reinforce its anchorage.

During the first 24 hours, local samples showed high local concentrations of gentamicin which were greater than the needed ones to eradicate bacteria which could have been left in the surgical wound.

Ten days after surgery, the patient was discharged from hospital with a complete healing of its wound. To date there have been no relapse of its infection and x-ray shows the piece in place in the bone without signs of reject.

After sternum implantations, the success of this new implantation confirms the I.Ceram know-how and the quality of its CERAMIL® implants. This implantation offers the company a wide range of bone surgeries and confirms its leadership for bone replacement.