Antibiotic Cement Bead Pouch Versus Negative Pressure Wound Therapy

NCT ID: NCT05615844

Last Updated: 2025-12-31

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

PHASE3

Total Enrollment

312 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2023-11-05

Study Completion Date

2027-10-01

Brief Summary

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The Beads vs Vac trial is a multi-centre randomized controlled trial of 312 participants with a severe open tibia fracture requiring multiple irrigation and debridement surgeries. Eligible participants will be randomized to receive either an antibiotic bead pouch or negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) for their temporary open fracture wound management. Outcomes will be assessed at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months post-surgery. The primary outcome will be a composite outcome to evaluate clinical status six months after randomization. Components of the composite outcome will be hierarchically assessed in the following order: 1) all-cause mortality, 2) injury-related amputation of the lower extremity, 3) unplanned reoperation to manage wound complications, infection, or delayed fracture healing, and 4) clinical fracture healing as assessed using the Functional IndeX for Trauma (FIX-IT) instrument. The secondary outcomes will independently assess the four components of the primary outcome. This is a Phase III trial.

Detailed Description

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The primary objective of early open fracture management is to minimize the risk of complications. In severe cases, multiple irrigation and debridement surgeries are required to overcome the severe wound contamination, to reassess the evolving tissue injury, and/or to temporize and plan appropriate soft tissue coverage with a skin graft or muscle flap. When multiple irrigation and debridement surgeries are needed, there is uncertainty on how the open fracture wound should be managed between procedures. Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT), commonly known as a Wound VAC, is the preferred method of open fracture wound management for most surgeons. Opponents of NPWT believe that NPWT desiccates the open fracture wound and rapidly removes any local antibiotics placed in the wound during surgery. Instead of using NPWT, they place temporary non-absorbable antibiotic-laden cement beads into the open fracture wound and seal it with a large occlusive dressing. This wound management strategy is known as an antibiotic cement bead pouch, or more commonly a Bead Pouch. Mounting evidence questions the effectiveness of NPWT to prevent open fracture complications. Additionally, emerging comparative studies suggest the antibiotic bead pouch may significantly reduce the risk of infection compared to NPWT. This trial seeks to fill this critical knowledge gap.

The primary objective of this trial is to determine if the antibiotic bead pouch, compared to NPWT application, is more effective at reducing open tibia fracture complications. The primary outcome will be a composite outcome to evaluate clinical status six months after randomization. Components of the composite outcome will be hierarchically assessed in the following order: 1) all-cause mortality, 2) injury-related amputation of the lower extremity, 3) unplanned reoperation to manage wound complications, infection, or delayed fracture healing, and 4) clinical fracture healing as assessed using the Functional IndeX for Trauma (FIX-IT) instrument. The secondary objectives will independently assess the four components of the primary outcome.

The trial population includes patients 18 years and older with a severe open tibia fracture requiring more than one irrigation and debridement and being treated with internal or external fixation for definitive fracture management. Patients who have contraindications to the NPWT or local intrawound antibiotics will be excluded.

312 participants will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive either an intraoperative antibiotic bead pouch or negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT). Participants will receive their allocated wound management strategy at the conclusion of their first irrigation and debridement procedure. Participants will have follow-up assessments at 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months post-fracture.

The primary outcome will be a composite outcome to evaluate clinical status six months after randomization. Components of the composite outcome will be hierarchically assessed in the following order: 1) all-cause mortality, 2) injury-related amputation of the lower extremity, 3) unplanned reoperation to manage wound complications, infection, or delayed fracture healing, and 4) clinical fracture healing as assessed using the Functional IndeX for Trauma (FIX-IT) instrument. The secondary outcomes will independently assess the four components of the primary outcome. An Adjudication Committee will review all primary and secondary endpoints and a Data Safety Monitoring Committee (DSMC) will review all safety events.

Conditions

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Open tíbia Fracture

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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Antibiotic Cement Bead Pouch

The antibiotic cement bead pouch involves placing temporary non-absorbable antibiotic-laden cement beads into the open fracture wound and sealing the wound with a large occlusive dressing for prophylaxis against bacteria.

The antibiotic beads used will be prepared intraoperatively by the surgical team. The bead recipe will be comprised of a ratio of 2 grams of vancomycin, 2.4 grams of tobramycin, and 40g (one bag) of PMMA cement. The beads will be handmade and approximately 10-mm in diameter. The number of beads placed in the wound will be at the discretion of the treating surgeon based on recipient wound size. As commonly practiced, the antibiotic beads may be exchanged for new beads at each subsequent irrigation and debridement surgery. The number of beads, the number of replaced beads, and the removal of the antibiotic beads will be recorded.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Antibiotic Cement Bead Pouch

Intervention Type DRUG

The antibiotic bead pouch provides an antibiotic delivery mechanism. It is made by combining polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) cement with generic forms of vancomycin and tobramycin powder.

Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT)

The NPWT system is a sealed dressing placed over the open fracture wound that includes an occlusive plastic wound dressing connected to a vacuum pump, tubing, and a canister to collect fluid. The pump creates a vacuum seal and exerts negative pressure on the wound to remove fluid and maintain a sealed environment. NPWT promotes wound healing through four primary mechanisms: 1) wound shrinkage or macrodeformation; 2) microdeformation at the foam-wound surface interface; 3) fluid removal; and 4) stabilization of the wound environment.

125 mmHg continuous negative pressure is the recommended NPWT device setting; however, the treating surgeon will be allowed to adjust these settings as clinically necessary.

The frequency and timing of NPWT changes will also be at the surgeon's discretion but is expected to primarily coincide with the timing of repeat debridement, typically every 24-72 hours until definitive management has occurred.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Negative Pressure Wound Therapy

Intervention Type DEVICE

Standard application of negative pressure wound therapy

Interventions

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Antibiotic Cement Bead Pouch

The antibiotic bead pouch provides an antibiotic delivery mechanism. It is made by combining polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) cement with generic forms of vancomycin and tobramycin powder.

Intervention Type DRUG

Negative Pressure Wound Therapy

Standard application of negative pressure wound therapy

Intervention Type DEVICE

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

1. Patients 18 years of age or older.
2. Severe open tibia fracture requiring more than one irrigation and debridement procedure to treat the open fracture.
3. Planned internal or external fixation for definitive fracture management.
4. Formal surgical debridement within 72 hours of their injury.
5. Will have all planned fracture care surgeries performed by a participating surgeon or delegate.
6. Informed consent obtained.

Exclusion Criteria

1. Due to the severity of injury, the treating surgeon does not believe limb salvage \>6 months is likely to be successful based on the emergency department or initial intraoperative assessment (prior to enrolment and randomization).
2. Medical contraindication to antibiotic beads, including previously known allergies or sensitivities to vancomycin and/or tobramycin.
3. Medical or injury contraindication to NPWT. Injury contraindications could include situations in which the NPWT could not be placed over a vascular graft or exposed neurovascular structure.
4. Received previous surgical debridement or management of their fracture at a non-participating hospital or clinic (as applicable).
5. Chronic or acute infection at or near the fracture site at the time of initial fracture surgery.
6. Incarceration.
7. Women of child-bearing potential who are pregnant or intending to become pregnant within the next 6 months.
8. Currently enrolled in a study that does not permit co-enrollment.
9. Unable to obtain informed consent due to language barriers.
10. Anticipated problems, in the judgment of research personnel, with maintaining follow-up with the patient.
11. Prior enrollment in the trial.
12. Other reason to exclude the patient, as approved by the Methods Center.
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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McMaster University

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

University of California, Irvine

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

University of Maryland, Baltimore

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Mark Gage

Associate Professor, Department of Orthopaedics

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

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Dignity Health Chandler Regional Medical Center

Chandler, Arizona, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

University of California, Davis

Davis, California, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

Los Angeles, California, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Yale University

New Haven, Connecticut, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

University of Miami

Miami, Florida, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Indiana University

Indianapolis, Indiana, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

University of Maryland, R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center

Baltimore, Maryland, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

University of Maryland Capital Region Health

Largo, Maryland, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

University of Mississippi

University, Mississippi, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Bryan Medical Center

Lincoln, Nebraska, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

University Medical Center of Southern Nevada

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center

Lebanon, New Hampshire, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Sanford Medical Center

Fargo, North Dakota, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

University of Cincinnati

Cincinnati, Ohio, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Bon Secours Mercy Health

Cincinnati, Ohio, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Slocum Center

Eugene, Oregon, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Ortegon Health & Science University

Portland, Oregon, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

St. Luke's University Health Network

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Prisma Health - Midlands

Columbia, South Carolina, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Prisma Health

Greenville, South Carolina, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Sanford Health

Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

University of Utah

Salt Lake City, Utah, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Inova Fairfax

Falls Church, Virginia, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

University of Wisconsin

Madison, Wisconsin, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Royal Columbian Hospital

New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada

Site Status RECRUITING

University of British Columbia

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Site Status RECRUITING

Hamilton Health Sciences

Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Site Status RECRUITING

London Health Sciences Centre

London, Ontario, Canada

Site Status RECRUITING

The Ottawa Hospital

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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United States Canada

Central Contacts

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Heather Phipps, MPS

Role: CONTACT

Phone: 410-706-2492

Email: [email protected]

Facility Contacts

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William Naylor, DO

Role: primary

Augustine Saiz, MD

Role: primary

Joseph Patterson, MD

Role: primary

Carol Lin, MD

Role: primary

Matthew Riedel, MD

Role: primary

Jennifer Hagen, MD

Role: primary

Marilyn Heng, MD

Role: primary

Yohan Jang, MD

Role: primary

Heather Phipps

Role: primary

Todd Jaeblon, MD

Role: primary

John Wixted, MD

Role: primary

Patrick Bergin, MD

Role: primary

Steven Shannon, MD

Role: primary

Erik Kubiak, MD

Role: primary

Ida L Gitajn, MD

Role: primary

Michael White, MD

Role: primary

Michael Beltran, MD

Role: primary

John Gentile, MD

Role: primary

Brandon Wilkinson, MD

Role: primary

Zachary Working, MD

Role: primary

Douglas Lundy, MD

Role: primary

Daniel Cunningham, MD

Role: primary

Kyle Jeray, MD

Role: primary

Robert Van Demark III, MD

Role: primary

Lucas Marchand, MD

Role: primary

Greg Gaski, MD

Role: primary

Christopher Domes, MD

Role: primary

Darius Viskontas, MD

Role: primary

David Stockton, MD

Role: primary

Jamal Al-Asiri, MD

Role: primary

Emil Schemitsch, MD

Role: primary

Steven Papp, MD

Role: primary

Other Identifiers

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SSU00222774

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id