This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the impact of antibiotic-impregnated calcium-sulphate beads (STIMULAN) in the treatment of diabetic foot osteomyelitis. In this study, 21 patients received STIMULAN as a part of the treatment between June 2021 and June 2022, compared with 34 matched historical control group. Findings revealed that patients treated with STIMULAN experienced an 80% reduction in post-surgical infections and complications compared to control group. No major amputations occurred within the 90-day follow-up period for both groups. Despite the initial cost associated with STIMULAN, the study demonstrated that overall direct healthcare costs remained comparable between the two groups, with potential savings on antibiotic therapy and hospital admissions. Calcium-sulphate beads (STIMULAN) offer advantages such as biodegradability, predictable elution characteristics, and the ability to fill voids after bone resection.
The abstract can be read, and the full paper can be obtained
here.