Abstract

PERRONE, M; ESCALONA, L  and  PLAZA, Y. Rol de la Azitromicina en el Tratamiento de Abscesos Periodontales . Acta odontol. venez [online]. 2001, vol.39, n.3, pp.4-8. ISSN 0001-6365.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy and the tolerability of azithromycin in the treatment of adult patients with periodontal abscesses. Thirty patients, 18 males and 12 females aged between 18 and 56 years old, were included in the study. These patients showed clinical and radiographic symptoms of periodontal abscess. Patients were treated with one daily 500mg oral azithromycin for three days. The efficacy of the antibiotic was assessed one week after the start of treatment by evaluating the evolution of the pathology on the basis of subjective symptoms (pain) and objective signs (redness, swelling). The tolerability of treatment was evaluated by recording any signs observed in the patients' data records. We could demonstrate that the implemented therapy was effective in all patients treated (100%). Only 10% of patients reported adverse events (mostly of a gastrointestinal nature). We concluded that azithromycin was well tolerated and effective against the periodontal abscesses presented by this group of patients.

Keywords : periodontal abscesses; antibiotic therapy; azithromycin.