To manage bone and soft tissue infection, continuous local antibiotics perfusion (CLAP) therapy, in which gentamicin is injected directly into the site of infection to control the infection, has been developed. However, gentamicin is nephrotoxic, and CLAP is often associated with complications, including acute kidney injury. Thus, in this study, we aimed to investigate the frequency of complications and the factors influencing their occurrence.

Overall, 82 patients who underwent CLAP in our hospital between January 2020 and September 2023 were included in this study. We defined the occurrence of renal dysfunction within 1 month after CLAP as the primary outcome and evaluated the following factors: history of diabetes and liver dysfunction, site of injury, initial open wound, skin defect, hemodynamic compromise, concomitant antibiotics, type of treated tissue, purpose of treatment, drainage method, duration of CLAP, and total amount of the gentamicin dose. To identify prognostic factors, we performed a logistic regression analysis.

The mean follow-up was 10.3 months. Of the 82 patients, 50 were cured, 12 reached infection prevention, 14 had recurrent infection, three had their affected limb amputated, two did not achieve infection prevention, and one died. Side effects of treatment included decreased renal function in 13 cases and drug eruption in 1 case. Logistic regression analysis showed that age (Odds ratio: 1.07; 95 % Confidence interval [CI]: 1.01–1.13) and duration of CLAP (Odds ratio: 1.06; 95 % CI: 1.01–1.12) were significant prognostic factors for the occurrence of renal function decline.

This study shows that renal function deterioration due to gentamicin used during CLAP is relatively common. Consideration should be given to shortening the duration of CLAP in older adult patients. Considering pharmacokinetics, a variable concentration regimen of gentamicin may be more effective and less nephrotoxic than continuous administration of a fixed concentration.

Acute kidney injury

Gentamicin

Nephrotoxicity

Orthopedic infection

CLAP therapy

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