One of the studies, published late September, is the first clinical comparative evaluation of noble metal alloy-coated nails in a high-risk orthopaedic trauma population. The study was carried out at the Leeds Major Trauma Centre, Leeds Teaching Hospitals, and the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom. It adds important new data on the potential of Bactiguard’s non-releasing, biocompatible coating technology to help prevent implant-associated infections. The aim of this pilot study was to assess the clinical effectiveness of two commercially available coated tibial intramedullary nails compared with standard, non-coated implants, and to inform the design of a larger future study. The hypothesis was that coated nails would be linked to fewer infections and fewer unplanned follow-up interventions. The title of the study is Tibial Fractures at High Risk of Infection Treated with Intramedullary Nailing: Do Nails with Antibacterial Coatings Make a Difference? and is published in JB JS Open Access.

Another independent retrospective investigator initiated study was conducted at the Orthopedic Surgery Department, Vall d’Hebron University in Barcelona, Spain. The objective was to evaluate the clinical outcome of a novel hybrid bone transport technique using a Bactiguard-coated nail for the treatment of infected segmental tibial bone defects. In this study, the Bactiguard-coated trauma nail system was used to evaluate reduction in implant-associated infections. Results were compared with a control group with patients treated with a conventional external fixation bone transport technique. The study was published in the medical journal Injury (the official journal of The British Trauma Society, The Australasian Trauma Society, and The Saudi Orthopaedic Association in Trauma).

Christine Lind, CEO of Bactiguard comments: “It is rewarding to see more clinical data being generated on Bactiguard-coated orthopaedic trauma products already in the market. These studies not only strengthen the evidence base but also show our technology in the hands of surgeons treating high-risk patients, where the need for infection prevention is greatest. While our own clinical evidence has demonstrated that the noble metal coating is both effective and safe, it is particularly encouraging to see this endorsed in real-world clinical use."