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Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research®

Published in:

01-06-2012 | Symposium: Complications of Spine Surgery

Capacitive Coupling Reduces Instrumentation-related Infection in Rabbit Spines: A Pilot Study

Authors: Mohit Gilotra, MD, Cullen Griffith, MD, Jason Schiavone, BA, Naren Nimmagadda, BS, Jenna Noveau, BS, Steven C. Ludwig, MD

Published in: Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research® | Issue 6/2012

Abstract

Background

Postoperative spine infections cause considerable morbidity. Patients are subjected to long-term antibiotic regimens and may require further surgery. Delivery of electric current through instrumentation can detach biofilm, allowing better antibiotic penetration and assisting in eradicating infection.

Question/purposes

We asked (1) whether capacitive coupling treatment in combination with a single dose of antibiotics would reduce infection rates when compared with antibiotics alone in a rabbit spine infection model, (2) whether it would decrease the overall bacterial burden, and (3) whether there was a time-dependent response based on days treated with capacitive coupling.

Methods

Thirty rabbits were subjected to a well-established spine infection model with a single dose of intravenously administered systemic ceftriaxone (20 mg/kg of body weight) prophylaxis. Two noncontiguous rods were implanted inside dead space defects at L3 and L6 challenged with 10⁶ colony-forming units of Staphylococcus aureus. Rabbits were randomly treated with a capacitive coupling or control device. Instrumentation and soft tissue bacterial growth were assessed after 7 days.

Results

Sites treated with capacitive coupling showed a decrease in the incidence of positive culture: 36% versus 81% in the control group. We observed no difference in the soft tissue’s infectious burden. Overall bacterial load was not decreased with capacitive coupling.

Conclusions

Capacitive coupling in conjunction with antibiotics reduced the instrumentation-related infection rate compared with antibiotics alone.

Clinical Relevance

Capacitive coupling noninvasively delivers an alternating current that may detach biofilm from instrumentation. Treatment of infection may be successful without removal of instrumentation, allowing for improved stability and overall decreased morbidity.

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Title: Capacitive Coupling Reduces Instrumentation-related Infection in Rabbit Spines: A Pilot Study
Authors: Mohit Gilotra, MD
Cullen Griffith, MD
Jason Schiavone, BA
Naren Nimmagadda, BS
Jenna Noveau, BS
Steven C. Ludwig, MD
Publication date: 01-06-2012
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research® / Issue 6/2012
Print ISSN: 0009-921X
Electronic ISSN: 1528-1132
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11999-011-2231-1

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Capacitive Coupling Reduces Instrumentation-related Infection in Rabbit Spines: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Background

Question/purposes

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Clinical Relevance

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Question/purposes

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Clinical Relevance

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