Cochrane review: Antibiotics and antiseptics for venous leg

[News Feeder14]

According to the results of a Cochrane review, although there is no evidence to support the routine use of systemic antibiotics to promote healing of a venous leg ulcer, but lack of reliable evidence implies that it is not possible to recommend discontinuation of treatment with systemic antibiotics.

Researchers evaluated data from trials that had investigated the effects of systemic antibiotics, and topical antibiotics and antiseptics on the healing of venous ulcers: Twenty two trials were identified of different antibiotics and antiseptics, including systemic antibiotics (5 trials). The remainder were topical preparations: cadexomer iodine (10 trials); povidone iodine (2 trials); peroxide-based preparations (3 trials); ethacridine lactate (1 trial); and mupirocin (1 trial).

The researchers presented results of the various interventions, including various permutations of the interventions, including comparisons between several antibiotics, comparisons between systemic and topical antibiotics etc., in addition to compression.

The researchers also concluded that, in terms of topical preparations, there is some evidence to support the use of cadexomer iodine, and further good quality research is required before definitive conclusions can be made about the effectiveness of systemic antibiotics and topical preparations such as povidone iodine, peroxide-based preparations, ethacridine lactate and mupirocin in healing venous leg ulceration.
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