The use of gentamicin-PMMA chains in abdominal surgery: a pilot study of prophylaxis against wound infection.

A prospective study was carried out to examine the effectiveness of gentamicin-impregnated polymethylmethacrylate beads in the prevention of wound sepsis after gastro-intestinal surgery. The beads were laid in the abdominal and perineal incisions (61 wounds) of 55 patients at the end of the operative procedures, and were withdrawn in stages from the fifth post-operative day. This method of administration results in a sustained high antibiotic concentration in the wound with low serum and urine concentrations, thus eliminating the dangers of gentamicin toxicity. Wound infection occurred in only 1 instance, a favourable result when compared to historical controls. It is suggested that further controlled studies of this method of topical prophylactic antibiotic administration are indicated.