BACKGROUND

Antibiotic-loaded collagen sponge has been shown to be effective in treating soft tissue and bone infections and has the advantage of minimising the risk of systemic toxicity.1 Collatamp (Collatamp®EG, EUSA Pharma) is a proprietary gentamicin-impregnated sponge used routinely in our institution during sur-gery for intramedullary infection associated with joint replace-ment and fracture fixation. TECHNIQUE The plastic exchange sheath used in interlocking nailing systems and a straight guide wire are required for this technique (Fig. 1). The Collatamp is first cut into several strips. The cut pieces are sequentially loaded into the exchange sheath and pushed with the wire to fill the whole sheath (Fig. 2). The filled sheath is passed down the medullary canal and withdrawn over the guide wire (Fig. 3). This results in the sponge being distributed along the entire medullary canal. DISCUSSION Bone and joint infections are very disabling and have a huge impact on the patient, surgeon and hospital.2 Collatamp has been shown to accelerate haemostasis and be effective in treatment of infections. Our technique enables the delivery and distribution of a resorbable implant eluting high local doses of antibiotic with the prospect of improving the chance of cure