Application of clindamycin in therapy of orthopaedic infections with special regard to applicability in outpatients practice.

Background. There is presented the applicability of clindamycin alone or combined with chinolon group antibiotics in therapy of orthopaedic infections.
Material and methods. In the period 1998-2002 a group of 47 patients underwent therepy due to soft tisue infection within extremities (9 patients), osteomyelitis (30) and periprosthetic infection (8). In 21 cases there was acute (within 1 month) and in 26 cases chronic infection. Etiologicaf factors include: Staphylococcus aureus (35), Acinetobacter baumani, Corynebacterium parvum, Enterobacter cloacae, Enterococcus faecalis, Serratia liquaefaciae, Morganella Morgagni. According to complex therapy protocol - procedure in deep infections included antimicrobial therapy and surgical debridement with application of garamycin spongue.
Results. Goud results i.e. permanent infection control was achiewed in 18 cases. Acceptable results i.e. temporary infection healing was achiewed in 16 cases. Poor result i.e. insatisfactory infection control was stated in 13 cases.
Conclusions. Clinical effectiveness of clindamycin therapy as only agent or part of complex therapy in orthopaedic infections is varying depending on chronicity of infection and possibilities of radical surgical intervention. In empiric antimicrobial therapy a combination of clindamycin with chinolon group antibiotics is favourable.