Acute haematogenous osteomyelitis.

Seventy-seven children admitted with a provisional diagnosis of acute osteomyelitis over a three year period have been reviewed. Acute haematogenous osteomyelitis was confirmed in 45 of these patients whose ages varied from three days to 14 years with a mean of 6.2 years. All patients were treated with intravenous fusidic acid and cloxacillin with splintage for three weeks followed by oral antibiotics for a further period of six weeks. Only seven patients required operation. One patient had recurrence of infection; all other patients were cured with no evidence of chronic osteomyelitis. It is suggested that surgical drainage of acute haematogenous osteomyelitis is seldom needed and that high intravenous doses of antibiotics in combination with splintage are adequate treatment in most cases.