Soft tissue defects resulting from trauma and musculoskeletal infections can complicate surgical
treatment. Appropriate temporary coverage of these defects is essential to achieve the best outcomes for necessary
plastic soft tissue defect reconstruction. The antibiotic bead pouch technique is a reasonable surgical
approach for managing temporary soft tissue defects following adequate surgical debridement. This technique
involves the use of small diameter antibiotic-loaded bone cement beads to fill the dead space created by debridement.
By applying antibiotics to the bone cement and covering the beads with an artificial skin graft, high local
dosages of antibiotics can be achieved, resulting in the creation of a sterile wound that offers the best starting
position for soft tissue and bone defect reconstruction.
This narrative review describes the rationale for using this technique, including its advantages and disadvantages,
as well as pearls and pitfalls associated with its use in daily practice. In addition, the article provides a
comprehensive overview of the literature that has been published since the technique was introduced in surgical
practice.