> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://barna.news/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Local Antibiotics Cut Bone Infection Treatment to One Week - URL: https://barna.news/local-antibiotics-cut-bone-infection/ - Published: 2026-11-12T09:25:43.000Z - Updated: 2026-11-12T09:25:43.000Z - Description: A global trial including Barcelona's Hospital del Mar finds targeted antibiotic delivery halves treatment time and slashes side effects. - Author: Barna.News News Desk - Tags: health A groundbreaking international study has found that delivering antibiotics directly at the site of bone infections during surgery can reduce systemic treatment duration from over four weeks to just seven days, with no loss of effectiveness. The trial, known as SOLARIO (Short or Long Antibiotic Regimens in Orthopaedics), was led by Oxford University Hospitals and included Barcelona’s Hospital del Mar as the only Spanish participant among 25 centres across the UK, Germany, Austria, Portugal, and Spain. The research, published in *The New England Journal of Medicine*, analysed data from around 500 patients who underwent surgery for confirmed orthopaedic infections. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either a short course of postoperative systemic antibiotics (seven days or less) or a long course (four weeks or more), with local antibiotics delivered via an implant placed during surgery. ## Equally Effective, Fewer Side Effects The primary outcome measured definite treatment failure within 12 months. Results showed a 11.1% failure rate in the short-duration group compared to 14.1% in the long-duration group, confirming that the abbreviated regimen was non-inferior within the predefined margin. This outcome supports a major shift in clinical approach. > With localised antibiotics, where the infection is, very high concentrations of the drug are achieved, which cannot be obtained with conventional treatment without very serious effects. According to Dr Daniel Pérez Prieto, head of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology at Hospital del Mar and a study author, the local delivery method allows for highly concentrated antibiotic exposure exactly where needed, minimising systemic impact. ## Reduced Hospitalisation and Follow-Up Burden The study also reported a significant drop in adverse effects linked to antibiotic therapy: from 45.2% in patients on long-course treatment to 17.2% in those receiving the short course. This reduction means fewer complications such as gastrointestinal issues, allergic reactions, and disruption to gut microbiota. Additionally, because intravenous administration is no longer required for extended periods, hospital stays are shortened and outpatient monitoring becomes less intensive. Patients recover faster and with fewer disruptions to daily life. --- ## Implications for Clinical Practice Experts say the findings open the door to revising current treatment protocols for post-surgical bone infections, which affect between 3% and 10% of fracture and prosthetic surgeries. The use of antibiotic-impregnated bone substitutes during surgery could become standard practice, improving patient experience and helping combat antimicrobial resistance by reducing overall antibiotic exposure. The SOLARIO trial results, now published in one of the world’s most respected medical journals, mark a significant advancement in orthopaedic care and antimicrobial stewardship. --- *Sources:* [*Nació Digital*](https://naciodigital.cat/societat/lantibiotic-local-redueixa-una-setmana-el-tractament-de-les-infeccions-ossies.html?ref=barna.news)*,* [*cidrap.umn.edu*](https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/antimicrobial-stewardship/shorter-course-antibiotics-found-noninferior-orthopedic-surgery-patients?ref=barna.news)*,* [*Michaël VIDEMENT*](https://www.hospitaldelmar.cat/media/upload/pdf/Program%5FSymposium%5FBarcelone%5F1722247192.pdf?ref=barna.news)*,* [*storage.mfn.se*](https://storage.mfn.se/95cd52bc-a519-417c-9119-4557bd45f334/solario-study-published-in-the-new-england-journal-of-medicine.pdf?ref=barna.news)*.* --- ### Related on Barna.News - [New Narcolepsy Treatment Targets Root Cause](https://barna.news/new-narcolepsy-treatment-targets-root/) - [7,000 L'Hospitalet Residents to Join Genomic Cancer Study](https://barna.news/7-000-l-hospitalet-residents-to-join/) - [Hospital Clínic warns of rise in monkey dust cases](https://barna.news/hospital-clinic-warns-of-rise-in-monkey/)