Clindamycin and gentamicin in surgical infections

The combination of clindamycin phosphate and gentamicin sulfate in treating 53 patients with a variety of serious infections was studied. Initial cultures of specimens from 31 patients yielded both anaerobic and aerobic pathogens. Eleven cultures showed only anaerobic organisms and 11 showed only aerobes. Of patients treated with clindamycin and gentamicin and surgical intervention, 87.8% had bacteriologic cure. Clinical response was poor in only two cases. Two patients developed rash and one had diarrhea, but no reactions suggestive of pseudomembranous colitis were seen.