In Vivo Comparison of the Efficacy and Duration of Local Antibiotics on Smooth, Textured and Polyurethane Implant Surfaces

Background Capsular contracture is one of the most common complications after breast surgery involving silicone implants. The most likely cause of this condition is biofilm formation. In this study, the efficacy of local antibiotherapy against biofilm formation on implant surfaces was investigated.

Methods Thirty-six rats were divided into six groups. Three pockets were created on the dorsum of each rat, and 1x2 cm implant surface samples from smooth, polyurethane and textured implants were randomly placed into pockets. All samples were inoculated with staphylococcus epidermidis. In groups 1-2-3, inoculated samples were placed into the pockets and removed after 1, 6 and 24 h, respectively. In groups 4-5-6, inoculated samples immersed with rifamycin were placed and removed after 1, 6 and 24 h, respectively. Bacterial load was measured with plate count method.

Results Bacterial load was lower in groups 4-5-6 than in groups 1-2-3 (p<0.05). In groups 4-5-6, bacterial load was lower for polyurethane than for textured surfaces at all time points (1, 6 and 24 h; p<0.05). Again, in groups 4-5-6, bacterial load was lower for smooth than for textured surfaces at 24 h (p<0.05). In groups 4-5-6, bacterial load was lower for polyurethane than for smooth surfaces at all time points, but difference was not statistically significant (1, 6 and 24 h; p<0.05).

Conclusion The results suggest that local antibiotic therapy was effective in reducing the bacterial load on all surfaces. The effectiveness of local rifamycin on the polyurethane surface was higher, and the duration of activity was longer than other surfaces.