Antibiotic-loaded bone cement applied to treatment of refractory hand burn wounds: 7 cases report

Our research focuses on the utilization of antibiotic-loaded bone cement in combination with skin graft to effectively treat refractory hand burn wounds, which are often complicated by infection and the risk of amputation of finger or amputation. From March 2020 to September 2022, we exploited the anti-infection properties of antibiotic-loaded bone cement, combined with skin grafting to repair 7 patients with deep hand burns. This study mainly summarizes our design, surgical techniques, outcomes, and associated complications. Our treatment for the 7 patients with deep hand burns (comprised 7 male individuals with an average age of 51.4 years, their wounds were distributed on fingers, ranging in size from 10 mm x 10 mm to 70 mm x 28 mm, all with necrotic tissue attached, accompanied by exposure of phalanges or finger joints) involved covering the wound with antibiotic-loaded bone cement after the first-stage debridement, repairing the wound with skin grafting in the second stage, and evaluated its efficacy through surgical outcome, amputation rates, patient satisfaction, and The Barthel Index. The wounds of the 7 patients were repaired after surgery which averting the need for amputations. A 12-month follow-up revealed that the majority of patients achieved self-care ability. Deep burns of the hand often result in wound nonunion or teratogenic disability due to infection. Antibiotic bone cement can effectively control the infection and promote the formation of granulation tissue in the refractory hand burn wounds which providing good conditions for repairing the wounds. It can be used as an effective approach for controlling infection in deep burn injuries.