Systemic administration of antibiotics in the management of venous ulcers

Forty-seven patients with chronic venous leg ulcers were included in a randomized clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of systemically administered antibiotics in healing this condition. One group was treated by means of elastic support bandages only, whereas the other one received the same local treatment plus systemic antibiotics. No statistically relevant difference was noted between the two groups in healing rates of ulcers or in changes of the microbiologic flora. The results of our study do not support the routine administration of systemic antibiotics in the management of chronic venous leg ulcers. Forty-seven patients with chronic venous leg ulcers were included in a randomized clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of systemically administered antibiotics in healing this condition. One group was treated by means of elastic support bandages only, whereas the other one received the same local treatment plus systemic antibiotics. No statistically relevant difference was noted between the two groups in healing rates of ulcers or in changes of the microbiologic flora. The results of our study do not support the routine administration of systemic antibiotics in the management of chronic venous leg ulcers.