Implant-related infections are often devastating situations in orthopaedic trauma surgery particularly if multiresistant bacteria are involved. Protection of the implant surface by an antimicrobial coating exhibiting activity against multiresistant bacterial strains is of high interest. Aim of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial effects of an Ag/SiO(x)C(y) plasma polymer coating for fracture fixation devices, such as nails, plates, and external fixators, including tests against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and its biocompatibility. The antimicrobial activity of the coating deposited onto 12 x 3 mm(2) stainless steel implants was tested in vitro against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and MRSA using different testing methods (ASTM E-2810, JIS Z 2801, proliferation assay). Additionally, the coated devices were implanted into the paravertebral muscle of rabbits and explanted after 2, 7, 14, and 28 days to test the remaining ex vivo antimicrobial activity. For biocompatibility assessment the Ag/SiO(x)C(y) plasma polymer coating was tested in vitro according to ISO 10993-5. The Ag/SiO(x)C(y) coating exhibited excellent antimicrobial activity against all tested bacterial strains in all three in vitro tests. Ex vivo testing proved suppression of more than 99.9 % of bacterial proliferation by the coating compared to non-coated samples even after 28 days. ISO 10993-5 showed good biocompatibility of the coating without any indications of cytotoxic effects. In summary, Ag/SiO(x)C(y) plasma polymer coating showed excellent antimicrobial activity including effectiveness against MRSA and good in vitro biocompatibility. Therefore, it possesses high potential as a prophylactic agent in orthopaedic trauma surgery.

The choice of material for implanted prostheses is of great importance concerning bacterial colonization and biofilm formation. Consequently, methods to investigate bacterial behavior are needed in order to develop new infection resistant surfaces. In this study, different methodological setups were used to evaluate the antimicrobial effect of photocatalytic titanium oxide and silver surfaces. Biofilm formation and eradication under static and dynamic culture conditions were studied with the use of the following analytical techniques: viable colony-forming unit (CFU) counting, imprinting, fluorescence, and bioluminescence. The present study demonstrates that different methods are needed in order to evaluate the prophylactic and treatment effects on planktonic and biofilm bacteria and to assess the antimicrobial effect of different surface treatments/coatings. Choosing the right antibacterial testing model for the specific application is also of great importance. Both in situ approaches and indirect methods provide valuable complementary information.

Background: Hard-to-heal wounds are associated with high treatment costs and, in Germany, are mostly treated in the outpatient care sector. Wound dressings are the main cost-drivers in venous leg ulcer (VLU) care which prescription is budget-restricted. Objective: To determine to what extent the choice of antimicrobial dressing affects the spending in outpatient care by investigating the budget impact of the bioburden-reducing dressing Cutimed Sorbact. Methods: The budget impact analysis was performed comparing three different scenarios of the intervention mix of antimicrobial dressings. A Markov model was used to estimate the VLU progression during one year. The budget impact was determined by comparing the dressing and medicine resource use and costs of the three scenarios. Results: This analysis confirms the high treatment costs of VLU care. ScenarioA leads to a decreased resource use of antimicrobial dressings and results in 20.86% lower treatment costs after 12 months. The increased use of Cutimed Sorbact has a positive budget impact. Conclusion: This analysis indicates that the treatment of VLU patients may result in an exceedance of the budget per patient that is available to the treating practitioner. The choice of wound dressing, however, may positively affect the prescribers’ budget spending in outpatient care.