epsilon-Caprolactone in Micro-Chambered Ceramic Beads - A New Carrier for Gentamicin

Purpose: The purpose of this preliminary and descriptive study was
toevaluate a biodegradable drug delivery system in combination with
aninnovative ceramic implant. Methods: The delivery of gentamicin
ofstandardized samples was measured in the laboratory
usingultra-high-performance liquid chromatography. Biocompatibility
andbiodegradation of the materials was investigated in an animal
experimentin sheep up to 14 months. As carrier
epsilon-caprolactone, 1:1 mixedwith gentamicin, intruded into
micro-chambered beta-tricalcium-phosphatebeads (MCB (R)) was
studied. Results and Discussion: Gentamicin wasreleased in
calculable concentrations during the first 30 days. Therelease from
epsilon-caprolactone was higher than that
frompolymethylmethacrylate and more predictable. The caprolactone
carrierwas reabsorbed by osteoclasts.