Preparation and characterisation of porous calcium phosphate bone cement as antibiotic carrier

This study investigated the release of cephalexin monohydrate (CMH) antibitic from macroporous calcium phosphate cement (CPC) over 0·5–300 h in simulated body fluid. Macroporosity was introduced into the cement matrix by using sodium dodecyl sulphate molecules as air entraining agents. The effect of both surfactant and CMH on basic properties of the CPC has been also elaborated. The results showed that the release rate of the drug from a porous CPC was higher than that of the non-porous CPC; however the same release patterns observed for both morphologies indicated a time dependent controlled release. Incorporation of CMH into the cement composition increased the setting time, while the crystallinity of the formed apatite decreased and injectability of the paste improved. In addition, the rate of hydraulic reactions, leading to conversion of the reactants into apatite phase, did not influenced by incorporating both CMH and surfactant into the cement.