Use of antibiotic-loaded bone cement for paediatric chronic osteomyelitis: a scoping review

Abstract

Objective: To systematically map the research done on the use of antibiotic-loaded bone cement for paediatric
chronic osteomyelitis.
Method: The scoping review was conducted in July 2023, and comprised research on PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane,
Google Scholar and ScienceDirect databases for original research articles on paediatric chronic osteomyelitis using
antibiotic-loaded bone cement. Data items extracted included basic bibliographic details, patient demographics,
patient presentation, pathogen, systemic and local antibiotic treatment, operative techniques, follow-up, outcomes,
and complications.
Results: Of the 1,569 studies identified, 158(10.07%) were assessed for eligibility, and, of them, 9(5.7%) were
reviewed in detail. All the 9(100%) studies were retrospective, 6(66.6%) were case series, and 1(11.1%) was from a
developing country. Of the total 73 patients in the studies, 58(79.5%) were males, and tibia was the most commonly
involved bone 21(46%). Vancomycin was most commonly used in bone cement (60 (83.6%)). All 73 (100%) patients
were infection-free at the end of the follow-up period, with no major complications in 55 (75.3%) patients.
Conclusion: Current literature on the use of antibiotic-loaded bone cement in paediatric chronic osteomyelitis is
limited, but favours its use.
Key Words: Paediatric, Chronic osteomyelitis, Antibiotic, Bone cement, Bone infection