Comparison the Efficacy of Cefazolin plus Gentamicin with Cefazolin plus Ciprofloxacin in Management of Type –IIIA Open Fractures

BACKGROUND: The optimal antibiotic regimen is still controversial in open fractures. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of two different antibiotic regimens in management of type III-A open fractures. METHODS: From January 2001 to January 2008, patients with type IIIA open fractures admitted in Shahid Beheshti Hospital Affiliated to Babol University of Medical Sciences were enrolled. Patients randomly received cefazolin plus gentamicin (group I) or cefazolin plus ciprofloxacin (group II). Both regimens were administered for 3 days. All patients were followed for 3 months. The efficacy of both regimens was compared. RESULTS: One hundred-forty eight and 153 patients were treated in group I and II, respectively. The mean age of the patients treated in group I was 36.96±14.4 and in group II was 36.93±13.51 years. The rate of deep infection in group I was 5.4% and in group II was 6.5%. The efficacy of regimen I was 94.6% and regimen II was 93.5%. CONCLUSION: Cefazolin plus gentamicin, or cefazolin plus ciprofloxacin both can be successfully used for prevention of infection in type IIIA open fractures.