intraosseous antibiotic delivery
ProcedureAfter debridement, patients will receive intraosseous (IO) vancomycin 500mg in 150ml of normal saline during surgery. The solution will be prepared by the hospital pharmacy and administered via an IO cannula. The cannula will be placed proximal to the intramedullary fixture. In cases where a tourniquet can be utilized proximal to the IO cannula, the antibiotic is delivered as a bolus. Tourniquet must be up for 1 hour after installation of the IO cases where the residual limb is too short to allow tourniquet (pneumatic or elastic) proximal to the IO cannula, the intraosseous antibiotic must be infused at a rate not to exceed 10mg/min or less. This can be accomplished by connecting intravenous tubing to the antibiotic mixture and the IO cannula. In cases without a tourniquet, IO infusion should begin during the irrigation phase and continue through the complete closure of the wound, since it requires a significant amount of time 50-60 min.