Published online Jun 18, 2016. doi: 10.5312/wjo.v7.i6.361
Peer-review started: February 14, 2016
First decision: March 21, 2016
Revised: April 6, 2016
Accepted: April 21, 2016
Article in press: April 22, 2016
Published online: June 18, 2016
Infections can hinder orthopedic implant function and retention. Current implant-based antimicrobial strategies largely utilize coating-based approaches in order to reduce biofilm formation and bacterial adhesion. Several emerging antimicrobial technologies that integrate a multidisciplinary combination of drug delivery systems, material science, immunology, and polymer chemistry are in development and early clinical use. This review outlines orthopedic implant antimicrobial technology, its current applications and supporting evidence, and clinically promising future directions.
Core tip: Infections can hinder orthopedic implant function and retention. Current implant-based antimicrobial strategies largely utilize coating-based approaches in order to reduce biofilm formation and bacterial adhesion. Several emerging antimicrobial technologies that integrate a multidisciplinary combination of drug delivery systems, material science, immunology, and polymer chemistry are in development and early clinical use. This review outlines the latest orthopedic implant antimicrobial technologies-including updates on chitosan coatings, photoactive-based coatings, electrospinning technology, integrated biofilms-highlighting the current applications, supporting evidence, and clinically-promising future directions.