Biodegradable carriers containing gentamicin for local treatment of bone infection were developed. This paper describes the preparation and in vitro evaluation of these biodegradable implants. Poly-L-lactic acid (PLA) and polyl-L-lactic acid/polyethylene glycol (PLA/PEG) disk implants containing gentamicin sulphate were obtained by compression of microspheres prepared by a double emulsion process. The mean particle size distribution of the microspheres, based on volume, ranged from 95-270 mum. The gentamicin sulphate loading of the microspheres, after a methylene chloride-water extraction procedure, exceeded 90% of the theoretical value. In vitro dissolution studies on the microspheres and implants with drug loadings 10-40% w/w indicated that the rate of drug release from both PLA and PLA/PEG implants increased, with an increase in drug loading. The release of gentamicin from microspheres was dependent on the properties of PLA and/or PLA/PEG. The PLA/PEG copolymer was more hydrophilic than the PLA homopolymer, and with a smaller pH change in the microenvironment with polymer being degraded. In comparison, the PLA/PEG implant released antibiotic faster and had a larger inhibitory zone based on the Bauer-Kirby experiments used to test the inhibitory activity of antimicrobial devices. Experimental results showed that the biodegradable PLA/PEG gentamicin delivery system had a potential for prophylaxis of post-operative infection.