The use of metronidazole gel to control the smell of malodorous lesions

Sixty-eight patients with malodorous lesions were treated with a topical 0.8% metronidazole gel for periods varying from a few days to 15 months. The gel completely controlled the foul smell of 34 (50%) lesions; had a reasonable effect on 31 (46%) and no effect on three. One patient with an infected leg ulcer was reported to have a skin irritation after seven days treatment with the gel. No other possible adverse events were reported.