Oral Versus Intravenous Antibiotics for the Management of the Osteomyelitis of the Jaws: An Open-Label Non-Inferiority Single-Arm Clinical Trial

We plan to conduct a randomized controlled open label trial of PO versus IV antibiotics in treatment of patients with osteomyelitis of the jaws. The clinicians caring for the patient will decide what antibiotics to give to the patient and the route or antibiotic therapy will be oral unless this route of administration fails and the patient does not wish to extend the oral antibiotics route. After thorough discussion of the risks, benefits, and alternatives, a consent form is reviewed and signed. The clinicians' choice of antibiotic prescribed will be according to the common practices and standards, with modifications, when necessary, based on local antibiotic guidelines, and in consultation with Infectious Disease (ID) team at our institute when needed. Participants will include patients with osteomyelitis of the jaws diagnosed by the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS) Department of the University of Louisville for eligibility. We will determine if the patient meets the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and, if the patient is willing, a study member will obtain informed consent. If patients provide informed consent, we will then record the clinical diagnosis and demographic data. These forms will be stored in our clinic and scanned in patient's medical records for future reference. We will see the patients according to our routine schedule in our clinic. This schedule includes the primary consultation appointment, admission, and inpatient surgery, the first follow-up 24-72 hours after discharge from hospital, one week follow up afterwards, and then follow-ups at two weeks, one month, 2 months, and then as needed on a case-based basis. Outcomes of the treatment with oral antibiotics will be compared to the historical outcomes of patients treated with IV antibiotics at the University of Louisville oral and maxillofacial surgery clinic.