Thiamphenicol for Treatment of Salpingitis

During a six-month period, 27 women with acute salpingitis diagnosed by laparoscopy were treated with thiamphenicol. Bacterial cultures and serologic tests for syphilis and Chlamydia trachomatis infection were systematically performed before treatment. Patients were assigned to one of two treatment groups. Treatment on the day of surgery was the same for both groups: 1.5 g of iv thiamphenicol immediately after laparoscopy and 0.75 g im 12 hr later. The first group received 0.75 g im twice daily thereafter for six days, while the second group received 0.5 g orally three times daily during the same period. Treatment with 0.5 g orally every 8 hr was initiated for an additional 14 days in the 13 patients in whom C. trachomatis was identified. Follow-up examination included clinical and laboratory tests and laparoscopy. Therapy was successful in 20 of the 27 patients, and there were no significant differences between the two treatment groups. Thiamphenicol is well tolerated at this dosage and appears to be an excellent treatment for acute salpingitis.