Purpose: The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of a single oral dose of clindamycin with a 24-h protocol of clindamycin administration in local buccal onlay grafting procedures.
Material and methods: A prospective randomized study in 124 patients was performed. Eligible patients were randomized to receive antibiotic prophylaxis either as a single dose (group I) or over a 24-h period (group II). In both groups prophylaxis started with an oral dose of 600 mg clindamycin 1 h before surgery, followed by either placebo or 300 mg clindamycin every 6 h. The primary endpoint of this study was wound infection at the receptor site within 8 weeks after surgery. Secondary outcome measurements included postoperative infections at the donor site and adverse events as a result of antibiotic administration.
Results: The mean age of the patients was 35.9+/-10.1 years (range 18-59 years). Infections at the receptor site were seen in two patients (3.2%, 95% CI 0-7.6%) of the single-dose group and in three patients (4.8%, 95% CI 0-10.1%) of the 24-h group. Infection at the donor site occurred in four patients (6.4%, 95% CI 0-12.5%) of the single-dose group and in two patients (3.2%, 95% CI 0-7.6%) of the 24-h group. Postoperative infections were predominantly caused by alpha-hemolytic streptococci sensitive to penicillin.
Conclusions: No statistically significant difference was found between the prophylactic single dose of clindamycin and the 24-h regimen of clindamycin with regard to postoperative infection in patients undergoing local bone augmentation procedures.