Background

Antibiotic loaded bone cement spacers are used as an adjunct to treatment in 2-stage arthroplasty revisions. If release of the correct choice of antimicrobials is optimised, systemic therapy might be curtailed and emergence of resistance minimised. Aims: To determine the elution period of antimicrobials from bone cement with and without a copolymer, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and to limit resistance development by the use of two or more antimicrobials.