[The clinical evaluation of acetoxyethylcefuroxime in dentistry]

The study examines the use of an oral antibiotic with a wide spectrum of action tested in dentistry belonging to the cephalosporin class: acetoxyethylcefuroxime. The pharmaceutical industry has succeeded in synthesising a prodrug of parenteral cephalosporin "Metoxyrinic cefuroxime sodium", thus resolving the problems presented by earlier molecules such as: scarce bioavailability, poor palatability and collateral effects at a gastroenteric level. This is a 2nd generation cephalosporin whose mechanism of action consists in the capacity to selectively block the synthesis of the peptidoglycan, a fundamental component of the cell wall of both Gram+ and Gram- bacteria. The study, which was performed in the Division of Odontostomatology of the Mauriziano Hospital in Turin, examined 59 patients suffering from some of the most commonplace dental pathologies such as: apical periodontitis-alveolitis-odontogenic abscesses-eighth teeth in dysodontiasis-maxillary cysts. The following clinical parameters were evaluated in both outpatients and those undergoing surgery: swelling, pain, lymphoadenopathy at the start of treatment, and at days 3 and 5 of treatment. A 250 mg tablet was administered every 12 hours for 5 days. Owing to the rapid resolution of symptoms and the limited collateral effects observed, the authors conclude that the drug may be regarded as the elective form of treatment.