PhD Conferral Dr. Jan A.P. Geurts

Keywords: bone infections, orthopaedics, antibiotic resistance, bioactive glass, antibacterial properties

"Biomaterials in infection treatment"

Bone infections are an orthopaedic challenge, especially now antibiotic resistance is on the rise. This dissertation aims to improve treatment options and outcomes. We examined bioactive glass, a new biomaterial with the potential of combating infections in a very specific way. This approach is different from standard antibiotic regimens. Bioactive glass does not only have antibacterial properties, but is also highly suitable to serve as a bone void filler. This material was introduced in Maastricht in 2011. Today, it is used frequently to deal with this problem. This dissertation describes the clinical use, biomechanical features, cost-effectiveness and implementation in low-wage countries, which is accompanied by a number of specific problems.