Background: Orthopedic infections, including fracture-related infection and periprosthetic joint infection (PJI), remain difficult to eradicate because bacteria within biofilms exhibit high tolerance to systemic antibiotics. Conventional antibacterial strategies based on minimum inhibitory concentration often fail in the biofilm environment, where substantially higher antimicrobial concentrations are required. Continuous local antibiotic perfusion (CLAP) has emerged as a technique that enables sustained delivery of high local antibiotic concentrations directly to the infected site while providing continuous drainage using negative pressure wound therapy. Methods: This narrative review summarizes the principles, technical aspects, clinical indications, and reported outcomes of CLAP. A literature search of the MEDLINE database was conducted up to July 2025 using the term “continuous local antibiotic perfusion.” Clinical studies describing the use of CLAP in orthopedic infections, including case reports, case series, and retrospective studies, were reviewed. Perfusion strategies (iMAP, iSAP, iJAP, and TRAP), antibiotic regimens, safety considerations, and current limitations were analyzed. Results: CLAP enabled delivery of high local antibiotic concentrations exceeding the minimum biofilm eradication concentration while maintaining relatively low systemic exposure. Favorable outcomes for infection control, implant retention, and fracture union, were reported across various intractable infections, including fungal PJI. Complications such as transient elevations in serum antibiotic levels and renal dysfunction were reported but appeared to be infrequent. Although CLAP has shown potential utility in refractory infections, further high-quality studies with rigorous safety evaluations are required to strengthen the evidence base. Conclusion: CLAP is a promising adjunctive strategy for challenging orthopedic infections, offering targeted high-concentration antibiotic delivery with effective drainage. However, current evidence is limited to low-level studies. Prospective trials, standardized protocols, and long-term safety evaluations are needed to define its role in clinical practice.
Choe et al. (Thu,) studied this question.