A Long-Term Retrospective Review of 5 Cases using Daptomycin for Prosthetic Device Infections after Surgery

Abstract

Purpose To review the antimicrobial possibilities for limb-sparing due to infectious complications after surgery in patients diagnosed with osteosarcoma and with implantation of prosthetic devices. Patients and Progress After several episodes of relapsing infection or even re-infection and failure of previous therapies, 5 patients (2 young, female / 1 young, male / 2 middle-aged, female) were subject to a long-term ambulatory regimen consisting of intravenous administration of daptomycin. Results Showed improved outcome with preservation of the limbs or devices involved. Conclusion Five patients with post-operative gram-positive suspected infections of prosthetic devices that were unresponsive to a variety of other antibiotics and combinations appeared to respond to compassionate use of daptomycin. Its effectiveness is probably due to its activity against biofilm-producing microorganisms. Controlled, double-blind randomized trials are needed to confirm the potential of daptomycin in such patients.