Short duration of post-amputation antibiotic therapy in diabetic foot patients with total resection of osteomyelitis

Abstract

BackgroundShort duration of post-amputation antibiotic therapy (2–5 days) is recommended in patients with diabetic foot osteomyelitis after total resection of infected bone tissue. ObjectiveTo evaluate the long-term effectiveness of short-duration post-amputation antibiotic therapy in diabetic patients with total resection of osteomyelitis assessed by sterile bone bacteriological samples obtained from the resection margin. MethodsThe endpoint was the absence of osteomyelitis relapse at 6 months, defined as recurrence of osteomyelitis with the need for surgical revision and/or new bone antibiotic therapy. ResultsAmong 15 patients included, 12 (80%) were cured without recurrence of osteomyelitis at 6 months, with a mean duration of antibiotic therapy of 8.3±5.9 days post surgery. This result is comparable to literature data, while all of them reported longer duration of antibiotic therapy and/or shorter follow-up. ConclusionShort duration of post-amputation antibiotic therapy in diabetic patients with sterile bacteriological samples obtained from resection margin seems effective.