Rodrigues, Danieli C.2017-06-262017-06-262017-052017-05May 2017http://hdl.handle.net/10735.1/5420The role of bone cements in averting orthopedic infections has been well reported. As bioinert polymeric materials undergoing considerable degree of time-dependent mechanical and biochemical degradation, cements have been used as carriers of antibiotics which can be released in situ to prevent or control joint infections. However, the effectiveness of cements in providing long-term, reliable prophylaxis is debatable because of cement-related factors like intrinsic hydrophobicity and minimal porosity, which have been critical in discouraging drug release. It has also been shown that biodegradable additives like calcium phosphates and polysaccharides/sugars can be added to cements to enhance the degree of drug elution by inducing porosity. This work presents the fundamental characterization of gentamycin loaded pre-mixed bone cements containing the additives brushite and lactose, as drug delivery systems for infection management. In vitro analysis of degree of drug release, compressive strength, bactericidal efficacy and bone cell compatibility were performed to understand the impact of the additives on these functional requirements of antibiotic –loaded bone cement.application/pdfenCopyright ©2017 is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the Eugene McDermott Library. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author.Artificial jointsOrthopedic implants—ComplicationsDrug delivery systemsGentamicinBone cementsThesis2017-06-26