Bone infection: antibiotic cement beads: practice question

A Orthopaedics question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Orthopaedics · Bone infection: antibiotic cement beads

Sample item

A surgeon fills a debrided cavity of chronic osteomyelitis with polymethylmethacrylate beads containing gentamicin. What is the main advantage of this approach?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. High local antibiotic concentration with low systemic levels

Antibiotic-loaded PMMA beads elute drug locally, giving concentrations far above those achievable systemically with little toxicity. They fill dead space after debridement, and non-absorbable beads are removed after a few weeks. They are adjuncts to, and not substitutes for, surgical debridement.

Option by option

  • A. The beads are permanent and need no removal

    Non-absorbable beads are removed at a later stage.

  • B. High local antibiotic concentration with low systemic levels (correct)

    Correct. Local delivery gives high tissue levels with low systemic exposure.

  • C. They stimulate bone growth in the cavity

    PMMA beads do not stimulate bone growth.

  • D. They replace the need for debridement

    Debridement remains essential in chronic osteomyelitis.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Orthopaedics question

What is the answer to this Orthopaedics question?

The best answer is B, High local antibiotic concentration with low systemic levels. Antibiotic-loaded PMMA beads elute drug locally, giving concentrations far above those achievable systemically with little toxicity.

Why is "The beads are permanent and need no removal" not the answer?

Non-absorbable beads are removed at a later stage.

Why is "They stimulate bone growth in the cavity" not the answer?

PMMA beads do not stimulate bone growth.

Why is "They replace the need for debridement" not the answer?

Debridement remains essential in chronic osteomyelitis.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Bone infection: antibiotic cement beads in Orthopaedics. They fill dead space after debridement, and non-absorbable beads are removed after a few weeks. They are adjuncts to, and not substitutes for, surgical debridement.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Bone infection: antibiotic cement beads?

Pair each fracture with its classic complication and nerve injured. Then use the flashcards and the other Orthopaedics questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.