Novel Polymer Reduces Bone Bleeding Surgical Infection Risk

An innovative polymer material designed to stop bone bleeding during surgery decreases the risk of surgical infection when the bone is exposed to bacteria such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

In an animal study, researchers from the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC, Charleston, USA) and the University of Southern California (USC, Los Angeles, USA) compared a newly available polymer called Ostene to bone wax, traditionally used to stop bone bleeding in surgically cut bone surfaces. The scientists looked at the two materials' effect on bone infection in the presence of S. aureus. The results showed that only a quarter of the bones treated with Ostene were infected, unlike the bones treated with bone wax, all of which developed an infection. The study also showed that the bones treated with Ostene healed normally, while the presence of bone wax inhibited bone growth. The researchers suggest that the use of Ostene may have implications for reducing the risk of surgical site infection and for improving post-operative healing and recovery. The study was published in the February 2008 issue of Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research.

Ostene, a product of Ceremed (Los Angeles, USA), is a sterile mixture of water-soluble alkylene oxide copolymers that form a synthetic bone hemostasis material that reduces the overall risk of post surgical infections, sternal non-union, poor bone healing, and chronic inflammation. Ostene is wax-like and malleable during application, dissolves rapidly, and is eliminated from the body shortly after surgery. The material's main polymer component inherently reduces bacterial adhesion.

"Ostene's unique properties are particularly significant now that we are battling the threat of hospital-acquired infections, especially MRSA,” said Tadeusz Wellisz, M.D., President and CEO of Ceremed. "Ceremed is currently developing the next generation of Ostene with antibiotics, specifically designed to prevent hospital-acquired surgical infection.”


Related Links:
Medical University of South Carolina
University of Southern California
Ceremed