Administration of Amikacin-Loaded Temperature Responsive Hydrogel in Two Dogs with Surgical Site Infection following Lateral Fabellotibial Suture

Introduction: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of complications following lateral fabellotibial suture (LFS). To treat the infection, antibiotics could be used systemically or locally. The objective of this report is to describe a new form of local antibiotic application, which is an administration of amikacin-loaded temperature responsive hydrogel (TRH) in dogs with SSI related to LFS.

Case One: A 4-year-old Bichon Frise was presented with non-weight bearing lameness and swollen surgical site following LFS. Suture material was surgically removed, and the dog was diagnosed with infective arthritis according to synovial fluid bacterial culture test. Amikacin-loaded TRH was injected intra-articularly, once a week for total six times until the Results of synovial fluid analysis were within normal limits. At six-month follow-up via phone interview, the hindlimb function of the dog was markedly improved.

Case Two: A 3-year-old Pomeranian was presented with lameness and continuous purulent exudation around the left stifle joint after LFS. Suture material was surgically removed, and amikacin-loaded TRH was administrated into and around the stifle joint. The dog was diagnosed with deep SSI according to bacterial culture test of synovial fluid and the exudate. At 2-month follow-up, left hindlimb function was significantly improved.

Discussion/Conclusion: Current local, slow-releasing antibiotic delivery systems include antibiotic-impregnated beads and collagen sponge. These systems require operation. On the contrary, the amikacin-loaded TRH used for this case report has the advantage that antibiotics can be released slowly at high concentrations without surgery. It may be a viable treatment option for SSI after LFS.

Acknowledgement: This work was supported by the Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Education (No. 2018R1D1A1B07047451).

Publication History

Article published online:
26 October 2022