200 Participants Needed

Vancomycin Powder for Fractures

(POWDER Trial)

Recruiting at 1 trial location
RA
Overseen ByRobert A De Lorenzo, MD
Age: 18+
Sex: Any
Trial Phase: Phase 4
Sponsor: The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
No Placebo GroupAll trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)
Prior Safety DataThis treatment has passed at least one previous human trial
Approved in 4 JurisdictionsThis treatment is already approved in other countries

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This is the first prospective controlled study to determine whether the topical application of vancomycin powder reduces infection-related complications when applied to open fracture injuries in the acute emergency department setting.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial protocol does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. However, if you are using a high-potency antibiotic powder or solution on your wound, you may not be eligible to participate.

What data supports the effectiveness of the drug Vancomycin Powder for treating fractures?

Research shows that using vancomycin powder can reduce the risk of infections after surgery, including in fractures and other surgeries, by lowering the presence of harmful bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus.12345

Is vancomycin powder safe for use in humans?

Vancomycin powder has been shown to be safe in children and is used to treat serious infections. However, it can cause side effects like ototoxicity (hearing damage) if blood levels are too high.26789

How is the drug Vancomycin Powder unique for treating fractures?

Vancomycin Powder is unique because it is applied directly to the surgical site during fracture surgery, which helps reduce the risk of infection, particularly from Staphylococcus aureus, without causing significant side effects like nephrotoxicity (kidney damage). This local application is different from traditional systemic antibiotic treatments that are taken orally or injected.210111213

Research Team

RA

Robert A De Lorenzo, MD

Principal Investigator

University of Texas

Eligibility Criteria

Adults over 18 with open fractures of certain bones who can consent to the study within 24 hours of injury. Excluded are those treated with high-potency antibiotics, allergic to vancomycin, pregnant women, prisoners, and subjects already operated on for the fracture elsewhere.

Inclusion Criteria

I have an open fracture in one of my major bones.
I am 18 years old or older.
My injury occurred less than 24 hours ago.
See 1 more

Exclusion Criteria

Time from injury > 24 hours.
I had surgery for an open fracture at another hospital.
I do not speak English or Spanish.
See 5 more

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive usual care plus topical application of 2 grams of vancomycin powder to open fracture wounds in the emergency room

Immediate (single application)
1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for infection-related complications and other outcomes

12 months
Multiple visits as needed for monitoring

Treatment Details

Interventions

  • Vancomycin
Trial OverviewThe trial is testing if applying vancomycin powder directly into open fractures in the emergency room can reduce infection-related complications compared to not using it or standard treatments.
Participant Groups
3Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Group I: Intervention ArmExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Subjects randomized to the Intervention Arm will receive usual care plus two (2) grams of Vancomycin powder administered topically. In the emergency room prior to surgical intervention, a qualified member of the study team or clinical team member will apply 2 grams of vancomycin powder directly to the open fracture site such that all visible surfaces of the wound are completely and uniformly covered, including bone edges.
Group II: Observational ArmActive Control1 Intervention
Subjects who otherwise meet the criteria to be included in the study but are not able to provide consent, either themselves or through a Legally Authorized Representative, will be placed in the Observational Arm and receive usual care with no experimental intervention.
Group III: Control ArmActive Control1 Intervention
Subjects randomized to the Control Arm will receive usual care for open long bone fracture as determined by the treating physician.

Vancomycin is already approved in United States, European Union, Canada, Japan for the following indications:

🇺🇸
Approved in United States as Vancocin for:
  • Severe infections caused by susceptible strains of methicillin-resistant staphylococci
  • Enterocolitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus
  • Staphylococcal endocarditis
🇪🇺
Approved in European Union as Vancomycin for:
  • Severe infections caused by Gram-positive bacteria
  • Endocarditis
  • Peritonitis associated with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD)
🇨🇦
Approved in Canada as Vancomycin for:
  • Severe infections caused by susceptible strains of methicillin-resistant staphylococci
  • Enterocolitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus
🇯🇵
Approved in Japan as Vancomycin for:
  • Severe infections caused by Gram-positive bacteria
  • Endocarditis

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

Lead Sponsor

Trials
486
Recruited
92,500+

United States Army Institute of Surgical Research

Collaborator

Trials
30
Recruited
1,800+

San Antonio Military Medical Center

Collaborator

Trials
22
Recruited
4,800+

Findings from Research

In a review of 16 studies involving 2,171 cases of uninstrumented spine surgery, the use of intra-wound vancomycin powder did not significantly reduce the overall rate of surgical site infections (SSI) compared to controls, with infection rates of 1.26% for vancomycin and 1.45% for controls.
However, in specific studies with higher baseline infection rates, vancomycin showed a significant reduction in infections, suggesting it may be beneficial in high-risk populations.
Surgical site infection prophylaxis with intra-wound vancomycin powder for uninstrumented spine surgeries: a meta-analysis.Zale, C., Nicholes, M., Hu, S., et al.[2023]
In a study of 143 patients with surgical site infections after fracture surgery, those who received topical vancomycin powder had a significantly lower rate of Staphylococcus aureus infections (10%) compared to those who did not receive it (50%).
The use of vancomycin powder may change the bacteriology of infections, potentially reducing the presence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, although further research in larger trials is needed to confirm these findings.
Topical Vancomycin Powder Decreases the Proportion of Staphylococcus aureus Found in Culture of Surgical Site Infections in Operatively Treated Fractures.Qadir, R., Costales, T., Coale, M., et al.[2021]
A case study of a 62-year-old woman revealed that vancomycin powder, while effective in reducing surgical site infections, can cause serious complications such as surgical drain occlusion, which occurred post-surgery in this patient.
The obstruction was due to vancomycin powder residue in the drain, leading to a lack of drainage and potential risks like epidural hematoma; this highlights the need for careful management of antibiotic powders in surgical settings.
Drain blockage by topical vancomycin powder-a case report of a potentially catastrophic complication in spine surgery.Shea, GK.[2023]

References

Surgical site infection prophylaxis with intra-wound vancomycin powder for uninstrumented spine surgeries: a meta-analysis. [2023]
Topical Vancomycin Powder Decreases the Proportion of Staphylococcus aureus Found in Culture of Surgical Site Infections in Operatively Treated Fractures. [2021]
Drain blockage by topical vancomycin powder-a case report of a potentially catastrophic complication in spine surgery. [2023]
Placement of Antibiotic Powder in Open Fracture Wounds during the Emergency Room (POWDER): Design and Rationale for an Investigation of the Acute Application of Topical Antibiotic Powder in Open Fracture Wounds for Infection Prophylaxis. [2023]
The Utility of Vancomycin Powder in Reducing Surgical Site Infections in Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery. [2019]
Switching from intravenous vancomycin to oral antibiotics reduces adverse events in a retrospective cohort of outpatients with orthopedic infections. [2023]
Does Vancomycin Powder Decrease Surgical Site Infections in Growing Spine Surgery?: A Preliminary Study. [2022]
Vancomycin. [2019]
Vancomycin. A new old agent. [2013]
10.United Statespubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Systemic Absorption and Nephrotoxicity Associated With Topical Vancomycin Powder for Fracture Surgery. [2022]
11.United Statespubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Local Antibiotic Therapy to Reduce Infection After Operative Treatment of Fractures at High Risk of Infection: A Multicenter, Randomized, Controlled Trial (VANCO Study). [2022]
Bone penetrance of locally administered vancomycin powder in a rat femur fracture model. [2022]
13.United Statespubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Experience with intrawound vancomycin powder for posterior cervical fusion surgery. [2022]