Treatment of chronic osteomyelitis in Korea.
OBJECTIVE
We sought to investigate the clinical and histopathologic features of chronic osteomyelitis and its treatment in Koreans.


METHODS
A total of 49 patients (ages 11-79 years; mean, 47.3 years) were examined in this retrospective chart review. In a new treatment protocol used for 39 patients, chronic osteomyelitis of the jaws was treated by surgical intervention and 2 weeks of intravenous antibiotics, followed by 6 weeks of oral antibiotics, whereas a control group consisting of 10 patients was treated by surgery alone. Surgical therapy consisted of decortication or sequestrectomy and saucerization of the affected bone. A successful outcome was defined as the resolution of symptoms after surgery alone or after surgery and 8 weeks of antibiotic therapy. Failure was defined as a case requiring a second operation and 8 additional weeks of antibiotic therapy.


RESULTS
A successful outcome was seen in 94.9% of patients on the new treatment protocol, as well as in 60% of control patients. A purulent discharge developed in 2 cases after the new treatment protocol and in 4 control cases, but the patients were treated successfully with a second operation.


CONCLUSIONS
Surgery followed by antibiotic therapy for at least 8 weeks is an effective method for treating chronic osteomyelitis of the jaws.
Kim
S G
SG
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Oral Biology Research Institute, College of Dentistry, Chosun University, Kwangju City, Korea. SGCKIM@mail.chosun.ac.kr
Jang
H S
HS
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007571:Jaw Diseases / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D007723:Korea; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019647:Oral Surgical Procedures; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents