Collagen patches impregnated with antimicrobial agents have high local antimicrobial efficacy and achieve effective tissue gluing

Background: Local antimicrobial systems have gained importance, as illustrated by current research on drug delivery systems (DDS), We aimed to develop materials that combine hemostatic and antimicrobial efficacy as well as adhesiveness for use in surgical tissue management, Materials and Methods: Materials were evaluated by in vitro studies employing microbiological and technological methods. Results: Antimicrobial impregnation of a collagen fleece, which is a pre-coated fibrinogen-based adhesive and therefore ready-to-use (TachoComb(R)), is significantly more efficient - both in terms of the antimicrobial efficacy (p < 0.001) as well as the adhesive strength (p = 0.03) - than coating an antibiotic-containing collagen fleece "on-site" with fibrin glue. Conclusion: Due to ease of practical handling and favorable pharmacoeconomics, this DDS is recommended for both open and minimally invasive surgery.