Controlled release of vancomycin from thin sol‐gel films on implant surfaces successfully controls osteomyelitis

Peri‐prosthetic infection remains a serious complication of joint replacement surgery. Herein, we demonstrate that a vancomycin‐containing sol‐gel film on Ti alloy rods can successfully treat bacterial infections in an animal model. The vancomycin‐containing sol‐gel films exhibited predictable release kinetics, while significantly inhibiting S. aureus adhesion. When evaluated in a rat osteomyelitis model, microbiological analysis indicated that the vancomycin‐containing sol‐gel film caused a profound decrease in S. aureus number. Radiologically, while the control side showed extensive bone degradation, including abscesses and an extensive periosteal reaction, rods coated with the vancomycin‐containing sol‐gel film resulted in minimal signs of infection. µCT analysis confirmed the radiological results, while demonstrating that the vancomycin‐containing sol‐gel film significantly protected dense bone from resorption and minimized remodeling. These results clearly demonstrate that this novel thin sol‐gel technology can be used for the targeted delivery of antibiotics for the treatment of periprosthetic as well as other bone infections.