amoxicillin-potassium-clavulanate-combination and Tenosynovitis

Pyogenic flexor tenosynovitis is a frequent and serious condition. However, there is no consensus on the use of antibiotics. The objective of our study was to describe the treatment of this condition and to identify the surgical and medical management parameters to propose an effective and consensual postoperative antibiotic therapy protocol. We retrospectively reviewed pyogenic flexor tenosynovitis of the thumb or fingers treated between 01/01/2013 and 01/01/2018 at a teaching hospital. Inclusion criteria were confirmation of the clinical diagnosis intraoperatively and a minimum post-antibiotic follow-up of 6 months. Comorbidities, type of surgery, antibiotic therapy parameters, and treatment outcome were assessed. One hundred and thirteen patients were included. Fifty-four percent had comorbidities. The most frequent germ was staphylococcus, all patients received postoperative antibiotic therapy. Intravenous or intravenous followed by oral administration did not provide any benefit compared to an exclusively oral treatment (p = 0.46). The duration of postoperative antibiotic therapy (less than 7 days, between 7 and 14 days or more than 14 days) did not lead to any difference in healing rate (p = 0.67). However, treating for less than 7 days versus 7-14 days seemed to be associated with a higher risk of failure, although not statistically significant. Oral postoperative antibiotic therapy with amoxicillin + clavulanic acid for 7-14 days appears to be effective, allowing for outpatient management.

Topics: Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Fingers; Humans; Retrospective Studies; Tenosynovitis

Pyogenic flexor tenosynovitis (PFT) of the hand is a common infection which is clinically diagnosed using Kanavel's signs. Delay in diagnosis and treatment may lead to devastating outcomes, including reduced range of motion (ROM), deformities, tendon impairment or even amputation. While the gold standard for treatment is irrigation and debridement of the flexor sheath, little is known about the outcomes of conservative treatment with intravenous (IV) antibiotics. Patients treated conservatively for PFT between 2000 and 2013 were included. Demographic information, co-morbidities and clinical features at presentation such as Kanavel's signs and inflammatory markers levels were gathered. Treatment course, length of stay (LOS), functional outcomes and complications were collected. Fifty-four (54) patients presented with PFT in the study period. Forty-six (46) patients, ages 19-84 years old, who were treated conservatively were included. Average time from symptoms onset to presentation was 4.6 ± 7.1 days. Fourteen (14) patients failed to improve with course of oral antibiotics prior to presentation. The average number of Kanavel's signs was 3 ± 0.7. Inflammatory markers were elevated in 82.2% of patients. The mean LOS was 4.7 ± 2 days. Forty-four (44) patients continued follow-up for 55 ± 45 months. Final flexion ROM was full or minimally limited in 69% of patients. Three patients were eventually operated. Complication rate for the entire cohort was 4.3% and no fingers were lost. This retrospective case series indicate that inpatient empirical IV antibiotic therapy can be considered for patients presenting with uncomplicated PFT, provided it is practiced under a hand specialist's surveillance.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Biomarkers; C-Reactive Protein; Cefazolin; Conservative Treatment; Diabetes Mellitus; Female; Fingers; Humans; Length of Stay; Leukocytosis; Male; Middle Aged; Range of Motion, Articular; Retrospective Studies; Tenosynovitis; Young Adult

Topics: Adult; Agricultural Workers' Diseases; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Clarithromycin; Contraindications, Drug; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Drug Substitution; Finger Injuries; Humans; Male; Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous; Occupational Injuries; Tenosynovitis; Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination; Wound Infection