Acute Kidney Injury because of Implanted Tobramycin Pellets: A Case Report

JBJS Case Connect. 2023 Apr 6;13(2). doi: 10.2106/JBJS.CC.22.00621. eCollection 2023 Apr 1.

Abstract

Case: A 50-year-old healthy man with normal kidney function underwent surgery for fracture-related infection. Unfortunately, the patient received 2.5 times the intended dose of tobramycin pellets in the medullary cavity and developed acute kidney failure. Given the intraosseous administration of tobramycin, the drug displayed an absorption-dependent pharmacokinetics and multiple treatments with hemodialysis were needed. However, the patient had a complete recovery, and the kidney function remained normal at the 2-year follow-up.

Conclusion: Tobramycin pellets are nephrotoxic in supratherapeutic doses; however, it was reversible in this case. Owing to the intraosseous administration, multiple treatments with hemodialysis were required.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acute Kidney Injury* / chemically induced
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Tobramycin* / adverse effects
  • Tobramycin* / pharmacokinetics

Substances

  • Tobramycin
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents