The delayed treatment of wounds of the hand and forearm under antibiotic cover.
In wounds of the hand and forearm treated within 4 h of injury, prophylactic clindamycin, in a dose of 150 mg 6-hourly for 5 days, did not reduce the infection rate. In wounds treated after 4 h the infection rate was reduced, but not significantly so. There was a significant reduction in the infection rate comparing all wounds treated within 4 h with those treated after 4 h. Early treatment of wounds is more important than prophylactic antibiotics, although these may have a part to play where late treatment is unavoidable.
D002981:Clindamycin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005543:Forearm Injuries / Q000628:therapy*; D006230:Hand Injuries / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D010406:Penicillins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013537:Sutures; D013997:Time Factors; D014946:Wound Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000628:therapy
D010406:Penicillins; D002981:Clindamycin