Tratamiento con linezolid oral en osteomielitis postraumáticas / Treatment of posttraumatic osteomyelitis with oral linezolid

ABSTRACT

Purpose. To assess the efficacy and safety of oral linezolid associated with surgery in the treatment of posttraumatic osteomyelitis. Materials and methods. Monitored prospective study of all patients suffering from posttraumatic osteomyelitis caused by Methicillin-resistant Gram positive cocci treated with elective surgery and linezolid 600 mg every 12 hours from June 2002 to December 2004. Results. We have used linezolid to treat 9 patients with posttraumatic osteomyelitis. The microorganisms isolated were: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, 1; Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis, 7. Two patients had an associated infection caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Mean duration of treatment was 9.5 weeks (range 6-12). During follow-up 8 patients were found to be clinically cured with fracture stabilization and with no sign of infection. One patient had an infected mal-union. Linezolid was excellently tolerated and in none of the cases it was necessary to discontinue administration due to toxicity. Conclusions. In our experience oral linezolid associated with surgery can be an excellent option for the treatment of posttraumatic osteomyelitis caused by Methicillin-resistant Gram positive bacteria that do not respond to other antimicrobials or if these are not well tolerated (AU)