Development of a Self-made Cement Bead Maker and Its Clinical Application for the Treatment of Periprosthetic Joint Infection

Abstract

Antibiotic-loaded acrylic cement beads have a large surface area and excellent sustained-release properties. However, there are some difficulty manufacturing reasonably sized beads and their careful handling. We developed a self-made cement bead maker using a mold of a sphere with a diameter of 8 and 10 mm with a 2-mm-diameter connecting hole. With this instrument, approximately 32 beads can be made from 40 g of bone cement. We clinically applied this technique to 11 cases of periprosthetic joint infection. There was no recurrence of infection noted. The advantages of this device were that it was possible to adjust the combination of antimicrobial agents and that the shape was uniform and easy to handle during surgery.

Keywords

• Antibiotic-loaded acrylic cement
• Cement beads
• Periprosthetic joint infection