[Treatment of acute non-chlamydial salpingitis. Study of the efficacy and tolerance of a single-therapy antibiotic: Augmentin].

An open randomised comparative trial of the efficacy and safety of Augmentin as against the triple therapy of penicillin-gentamicin-metronidazole in acute salpingitis was conducted in forty women admitted to hospital. Laparoscopy was performed routinely to confirm the diagnosis. The two groups of patients were comparable as to age and clinical and biological symptoms and the severity of the salpingitis (grade I to IV, with the presence or absence of Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome). Treatment was started immediately after the laparoscopy, first by parental route until the patient had been apyrexic for 48 hours. Oral follow-up was then commenced. Twenty women received Augmentin and twenty the triple antibiotic therapy. Specimens for bacteriological study were obtained before treatment (culture of the urine, culture from the IUD and from the cervix, and swabs were taken laparoscopically). This made it possible to identify aerobic and anaerobic organisms. (The gonococcus was found more often in the group treated with triple antibiotics). On discharge, cures had been obtained in 12 women and 6 more were responding out of the Augmentin group. Out of the triple therapy group 8 were cured and 10 were responding. There was one failure in each group (persisting fever). Long-term assessment was carried out in the out-patients three weeks after discharge. 11 out of the 13 reviewed in the Augmentin group and 8 out of the 14 in the triple therapy group were considered as definitely cured. The clinical safety of both treatments was good. These results demonstrate that Augmentin is as effective as the combined therapy in treating acute salpingitis and with the added advantage of its easy use and lower cost.