Abstract: Apparatus and methods for dispensing medicinals encapsulated in a biodegrble polymer in surgical and other wounds are described. The apparatus, a microcapsule drug applicator, allows the caregiver to implant or spread measured and uniform quantities of microencapsulated medicinals in or on surgical or traumatic wounds to prevent and/or treat infections. Specific examples where microencapsulated antibiotics may prove useful include, soft-tissue wounds, following debridement and reduction or fixation of open fractures, to osteomyelitic bone after surgical debridement, after surgical insertion of prostheses such as hip/knee replacements (arthroplasty), and following vascular surgery or grafting.