ABSTRACT
Objectives@#This study aimed to compare the effects of systemic administration of levofloxacin or cephalexin on fracture healing in rats. @*Materials and Methods@#In this animal study, tibial fractures not requiring fixation were artificially induced in 30 male Wistar albino rats using a 1.1 mm surgical bur. The rats were randomly divided into 6 groups (n=5). Groups 1 and 2 received daily subcutaneous saline injections. Groups 3 and 4 received subcutaneous injections of 25 mg/kg levofloxacin twice daily. Groups 5 and 6 received daily subcutaneous injections of 20 mg/kg cephalexin.The rats in Groups 1, 3, and 5 were sacrificed after 1 week, while the rats in Groups 2, 4, and 6 were sacrificed after 4 weeks. The score of fracture healing was determined through histological assessment of sections from the fracture site according to Perry and colleagues. Data were analyzed by Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney tests. @*Results@#The mean score of fracture healing at 4 weeks was significantly higher than that at 1 week in the saline, levofloxacin, and cephalexin groups P<0.001). At 1 week, no significant difference was noted among the three groups of saline, levofloxacin, and cephalexin in the mean score of fracture healing (P=0.360). However, this difference was significant at 4 weeks (P=0.018), and the mean score in the saline group was significantly higher compared to that in the levofloxacin group (P=0.015). @*Conclusion@#It is recommended not to prescribe levofloxacin for more than 1 week after surgical management of bone fractures due to its possible adverse effects on fracture healing.
ABSTRACT
Objectives@#Despite advances in maxillofacial surgery, impaired bone healing remains a concern for surgical teams. Many studies have evaluated the effects of sildenafil and pentoxifylline on bone healing. However, their effects on healing of bone fractures have not been well investigated. This study aimed to assess the effects of the phosphodiesterase inhibitors sildenafil and pentoxifylline on healing of mandibular fractures in rats. @*Materials and Methods@#A total of 60 rats were randomly divided into six groups of 10. Mandibular fracture was induced in all rats. After the surgical procedure, group C1 received saline, group S1 received 10 mg/kg sildenafil and group P1 received 50 mg/kg pentoxifylline. The rats were sacrificed after 1 week. Groups C4, S4, and P4 received pharmaceutical therapy as in groups C1, S1, and P1 but were sacrificed after 4 weeks. The samples then underwent histological analysis. @*Results@#The mean rate of bone healing of mandibular fractures in groups S1 and P1 was significantly higher than in group C1 at 1 week (p<0.001). The mean rate of bone healing of mandibular fractures in group P1 was higher than in group S1 at 1 week (p=0.04). The mean rate of bone healing of mandibular fractures in groups S4 (p=0.001) and P4 (p=0.004) was significantly higher than in group C4 at 4 weeks, but no significant difference was noted in the rate of healing between groups P4 and S4 (p=0.53). @*Conclusion@#Sildenafil and pentoxifylline can be used as adjuncts to enhance bone healing in rats.