Comparative effects of systemic administration of levofloxacin and cephalexin on fracture healing in rats.

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 (<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 (=0.360). However, this difference was significant at 4 weeks (=0.018), and the mean score in the saline group was significantly higher compared to that in the levofloxacin group (=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.