Background: Short duration of post-amputation antibiotic therapy (2-5 days) is recommended in patients with diabetic foot osteomyelitis after total resection of infected bone tissue.
Objective: To 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.
Methods: The 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.
Results: Among 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.
Conclusion: Short duration of post-amputation antibiotic therapy in diabetic patients with sterile bacteriological samples obtained from resection margin seems effective.
Keywords: Antibiotic duration; Diabetes; Diabetic foot osteomyelitis; Osteomyelitis.
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