[Duration of the preventive use of antibiotics in colorectal surgery--single administration versus short-term prevention]. Prospective, randomised study on antibiotic prophylaxis in colorectal surgery. Is it really necessary to use oral antibiotics? Selective decontamination of the colon before elective colorectal surgery. West of Scotland Surgical Infection Study Group. [Parenteral antibiotic prophylaxis or oral antimicrobial bowel preparation for colorectal surgery (author's transl)]. Value of oral antibiotic prophylaxis in colorectal surgery. Prophylactic antibiotics in elective colorectal surgery. Should antimicrobial prophylaxis in colorectal surgery include agents effective against both anaerobic and aerobic microorganisms? A double-blind, multicenter study. The Norwegian Study Group for Colorectal Surgery. Short-term antibiotic prophylaxis in elective colorectal surgery. Prophylaxis of infection following colorectal surgery. Antibiotics in elective colon surgery. A randomized trial of oral, systemic, and oral/systemic antibiotics for prophylaxis. Comparison of two prophylactic single-dose intravenous antibiotic regimes in the treatment of patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery in a district general hospital. Systemic perioperative prophylaxis in elective oncological colorectal surgery: cefotetan versus clindamicin plus aztreonam. [Comparative analysis of mezlocillin/metronidazole and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid as "one shot" preventive antibiotic administration in colorectal interventions]. Peroperative systemic prophylaxis in colorectal surgery. Selective cefuroxime prophylaxis following colorectal surgery based on intra-operative dipslide culture. Prophylactic antibiotics for elective colorectal surgery or operation for obstruction of the small bowel: a comparison of cefonicid and cefoxitin. [Antimicrobial chemoprevention in colorectal interventions: a single parenteral dose at the start of surgery is adequate]. Single-dose chemoprophylaxis in elective colorectal surgery. A comparison between doxycycline plus metronidazole and doxycycline. Single or multiple doses of metronidazole and ampicillin in elective colorectal surgery. A randomized trial. Preoperative cell-mediated immunity and duration of antibiotic prophylaxis in relation to postopertive infectious complications. A controlled trial in biliary, gastroduodenal and colorectal surgery. Prevention of wound infection in elective colorectal surgery by local application of a gentamicin-containing collagen sponge. Failure of single-dose metronidazole prophylaxis in colorectal surgery. No benefit from high dosage or combination with nalidixic acid. The value of the prophylactic use of doxycycline and tinidazole in elective colorectal surgery. Topical ampicillin in addition to a systemic antibiotic prophylaxis in elective colorectal surgery. A prospective randomized study. Colectomy, mucosal proctectomy, and ileal pouch-anal anastomosis. A prospective trial of optimal antibiotic management. Comparison between oral and systemic antibiotics and their combined use for the prevention of complications in colorectal surgery. Timing of prophylactic antibiotics in abdominal surgery: trial of a pre-operative versus an intra-operative first dose. Single-dose intravenous metronidazole v. doxycycline prophylaxis in colorectal surgery. An open prospective, randomized trial. A prospective, randomized trial of perioperative prophylactic cefamandole in elective colorectal surgery for malignancy. 24-hour systemic antimicrobial prophylaxis with gentamicin and metronidazole, or metronidazole alone, in elective colorectal surgery after mechanical bowel preparation with mannitol and whole gut irrigation. A prospective randomized controlled trial of multimodal perioperative management protocol in patients undergoing elective colorectal resection for cancer. The need for antibiotic prophylaxis in elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a prospective randomized study. Postoperative infections in colonic surgery after enteral bacitracin-neomycin-clindamycin or parenteral mezlocillin-oxacillin prophylaxis. Impact of oral antimicrobial prophylaxis on surgical site infection and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection after elective colorectal surgery. Results of a prospective randomized trial. Prophylactic antimicrobials in elective colorectal and biliary surgery. Factors involved in antibiotic selection in elective colon and rectal surgery. 24-hour systemic antibiotic prophylaxis in large-bowel surgery. Comparison of one dose versus three doses of prophylactic antibiotics, and the influence of blood transfusion, on infectious complications in acute and elective colorectal surgery. [Infection prevention in elective large intestine surgery. Results of a prospective randomized comparative study]. [Perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis in colon surgery. Metronidazole and tobramycin versus metronidazole alone. A prospective randomized study]. A prospective randomized study of prophylactic antibiotics in elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Oral versus systemic antibiotic prophylaxis in elective colon surgery: a randomized study and meta-analysis send a message from the 1990s. Addition of parenteral cefoxitin to regimen of oral antibiotics for elective colorectal operations. A randomized prospective study. Single dose cefotaxime plus metronidazole versus three dose cefuroxime plus metronidazole as prophylaxis against wound infection in colorectal surgery: multicentre prospective randomised study. A multicenter randomized trial of prophylaxis with intravenous cefepime + metronidazole or ceftriaxone + metronidazole in colorectal surgery. The 230 Study Group. Prophylactic antibiotics in elective colon surgery. Comparison of metronidazole with doxycycline prophylaxis in elective colorectal surgery. A prospective, randomized multicentre study. Cefoxitin for one day vs. ampicillin and metronidazole for three days in elective colorectal surgery. A prospective, randomized, multicenter study. Antimicrobial bowel preparation. Oral, parenteral, or both? Single dose cefuroxime/metronidazole versus metronidazole alone in elective colorectal surgery. Preoperative oral arginine and n-3 fatty acid supplementation improves the immunometabolic host response and outcome after colorectal resection for cancer. Tinidazole and doxycycline compared to doxycycline alone as prophylactic antimicrobial agents in elective colorectal surgery. Single-dose peroperative antibiotic prophylaxis in gastrointestinal surgery. No effect of topical ampicillin prophylaxis in elective operations of the colon or rectum. Low-dose, single-shot perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis in colorectal surgery. Tinidazole and doxycycline as antimicrobials in elective colorectal surgery. A randomized multicentre trial. Oral prophylaxis with neomycin and erythromycin in colorectal surgery. More proof for efficacy than failure. Are prophylactic antibiotics required for elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy? Comparison of two systemic antibiotics for the prevention of complications in elective colorectal surgery. Selective decontamination of the digestive tract to prevent postoperative infection: a randomized placebo-controlled trial in liver transplant patients. Randomized clinical trial of mechanical bowel preparation versus no preparation before elective left-sided colorectal surgery. [Mechanical preparation in elective colorectal surgery, a usual practice or a necessity?]. Comparison of systemic prophylaxis with metronidazole/placebo and metronidazole/fosfomycin in colorectal surgery. A clinical study demonstrating the need for additional anti-aerobic prophylactic cover. Perioperative synbiotic treatment to prevent postoperative infectious complications in biliary cancer surgery: a randomized controlled trial. Does prophylactic administration of systemic antibiotics prevent postoperative inflammatory complications after third molar surgery? Single dose ceftriaxone as prophylaxis for sepsis in colorectal surgery. Comparison of prophylactic ampicillin/sulbactam with gentamicin and metronidazole in elective colorectal surgery: a randomized clinical study. A randomized prospective study to compare cefotetan with cefuroxime plus metronidazole as prophylaxis in elective colorectal surgery. Single-dose intraoperative antibiotic prophylaxis in emergency abdominal surgery. [Perioperative antibiotic prevention in colon and rectum surgery. A randomized study on the value of single dose prevention]. Oral is superior to systemic antibiotic prophylaxis in operations upon the colon and rectum. [Antibiotic prophylaxis in colon surgery: cefazolin (Kefzol- ornidazole (Tiberal) versus cephazolin-placebo]. A comparison between single and double dose intravenous Timentin for the prophylaxis of wound infection in elective colorectal surgery. Mechanical bowel preparation or not? Outcome of a multicenter, randomized trial in elective open colon surgery. Evaluation of the role of prophylactic antibiotics in elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a prospective randomized trial. Prophylactic metronidazole in appendectomy: a double-blind controlled trial. Effectiveness of single dose prophylaxis with cefotaxime and metronidazole compared with three doses of cefotaxime alone in elective colorectal surgery. A prospective, randomized, double-blind study of 10% mannitol mechanical bowel preparation combined with oral neomycin and short-term, perioperative, intravenous Flagyl as prophylaxis in elective colorectal resections. Comparison of short-term antibiotic cover with a third-generation cephalosporin against conventional five-day therapy using metronidazole with an aminoglycoside in emergency and complicated colorectal surgery. [Antibiotic prophylaxis in colon surgery with Cefazolin]. Early removing gastrointestinal decompression and early oral feeding improve patients' rehabilitation after colorectostomy. [Preventive preoperative antibiotic therapy in elective colon surgery. A controlled prospective randomized study]. Improvement of intraoperative antibiotic prophylaxis in prolonged cardiac surgery by automated alerts in the operating room. Systemic prophylaxis with gentamicin-metronidazole in appendicectomy and colorectal surgery: a prospective controlled clinical study. Randomized controlled trial of selective bowel decontamination for prevention of infections following liver transplantation. [Antibiotic prophylaxis in elective colon surgery: comparison of the combination of metronidazole (Flagyl)/cefazolin (Kefzol) with cefazolin alone]. Prospective randomized trial of systemic antibiotics in patients undergoing liver resection. Single-dose parenteral antibiotic prophylaxis in gastrointestinal surgery. One-dose cefuroxime i.v. and i.p. reduces microbial growth in PD patients after catheter insertion. Fosfomycin/metronidazole compared with doxycycline/metronidazole for the prophylaxis of infection after elective colorectal surgery. A randomised double-blind multicentre trial in 517 patients. A multicentre study to compare piperacillin with the combination of netilmicin and metronidazole for prophylaxis in elective colorectal surgery undertaken in district general hospitals. Colon and rectal surgery without mechanical bowel preparation: a randomized prospective trial. A comparison between netilmicin with metronidazole and doxycycline as prophylaxis in elective colorectal surgery. Short-term prophylaxis with cefotaxime in colorectal surgery. A prospective, randomized trial. Short-term systemic prophylaxis with cefoxitin and doxycycline in colorectal surgery. A prospective, randomized study. Prophylactic single-dose fosfomycin and metronidazole compared with neomycin, bacitracin, metronidazole and ampicillin in elective colorectal operations. Antibiotic prophylaxis in colorectal surgery. Combined doxycycline-tinidazole vs. doxycycline alone. [Perioperative metronidazole-prophylaxis for cesarian section (author's transl]. Does metoclopramide reduce the length of ileus after colorectal surgery? A prospective randomized trial. Mechanical bowel preparation for elective colorectal surgery with primary intraperitoneal anastomosis by a single surgeon: interim analysis of a prospective single-blinded randomized trial. Prophylactic antibiotics in Caesarean section: effect of a short preoperative course of benzyl penicillin or clindamycin plus gentamicin on postoperative infectious morbidity. Antimicrobial chemoimmunoprophylaxis in colorectal surgery with cefotetan and thymostimulin: prospective, controlled multicenter study. Italian Study Group on Antimicrobial Prophylaxis in Abdominal Surgery. Single-dose v. short-term antibiotic therapy for prevention of wound infection in general surgery. A prospective, randomized double-blind trial. Failure of topically applied antibiotics, added to systemic prophylaxis, to reduce perineal wound infection in abdominoperineal excision of the rectum. A comparison of aztreonam/metronidazole and cefotaxime/metronidazole in elective colorectal surgery: antimicrobial prophylaxis must include gram-positive cover. Short-term prophylaxis with cefuroxime in colorectal surgery for cancer. Double-blind comparison of single-dose alatrofloxacin and cefotetan as prophylaxis of infection following elective colorectal surgery. Trovafloxacin Surgical Group. Oral, nonabsorbable antibiotics prevent infection in cirrhotics with gastrointestinal hemorrhage. A prospective comparison of gentamicin and metronidazole and moxalactam in the prevention of septic complications associated with elective operations of the colon and rectum. Single versus multiple dose doxycycline prophylaxis in elective colorectal surgery. Randomized controlled trial of intraoperative goal-directed fluid therapy in aerobically fit and unfit patients having major colorectal surgery. Prophylaxis with doxycycline (Vibramycin) in colorectal surgery. Determinants of postoperative infection after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Attenuation of the systemic inflammatory response and infectious complications after gastrectomy with preoperative oral arginine and omega-3 fatty acids supplemented immunonutrition. Prophylactic antibiotics in cirrhotics with upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage: a prospective, controlled trial. Colon and rectal surgery for cancer without mechanical bowel preparation: one-center randomized prospective trial. Prophylactic antibiotics in uncomplicated appendicitis during childhood--a prospective randomised study. A double-blind placebo-controlled trial of perioperative prophylactic antibiotics for elective neurosurgery. A double-blind randomized controlled trial on the use of prophylactic antibiotics in patients undergoing elective caesarean section. Prophylactic antibiotics in the insertion of Tenckhoff catheters. [Short-term antibiotic prophylaxis in colorectal surgery: cefoxitin versus piperacillin. A double-blind randomized study, 60 cases]. Prophylactic antibiotics for elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy: are they necessary? A double-blind trial of a single intravenous dose of metronidazole as prophylaxis against wound infection following appendicectomy. Randomized clinical trial of the effects of preoperative and postoperative oral nutritional supplements on clinical course and cost of care. Early postoperative feeding after elective colorectal surgery is not a benefit unique to laparoscopy-assisted procedures. Prospective randomized comparison of two preoperative skin preparation techniques in a developing world country. Use of peroperative cefoxitin to prevent infection after colonic and rectal surgery. Systemic Timentin is superior to oral tinidazole for antibiotic prophylaxis in elective colorectal surgery. University of Melbourne Colorectal Group. A comparison of single-dose systemic Timentin with mezlocillin for prophylaxis of wound infection in elective colorectal surgery. University of Melbourne Colorectal Group. Preincisional intraparietal Augmentin in abdominal operations. A prospective, randomized double-blind study of the use of antibiotics at the time of mastectomy. Parenteral antibiotic prophylaxis of bacterial infections does not improve cost-efficacy of oral norfloxacin in cirrhotic patients with gastrointestinal bleeding. Is early postoperative feeding feasible in elective colon and rectal surgery? [Prevention of bacterial infections after bone marrow graft by broad-spectrum oral antibiotics, absorbable (pefloxacin, penicillin) and non absorbable (cephalosporin, gentamycin, bacitracin)]. [Pefloxacin + metronidazole versus netilmicin + metronidazole in the prevention of nosocomial infections in contaminated surgery. Pefloxacin Study Group]. Synbiotics reduce postoperative infectious complications: a randomized controlled trial in biliary cancer patients undergoing hepatectomy. Amoxycillin/clavulanic acid prophylaxis in elective colorectal surgery: a prospective randomized trial. Is mechanical bowel preparation mandatory for elective colon surgery? A prospective randomized study. Reduction of incorrect antibiotic dosing through a structured educational order form. A reevaluation of antibiotic prophylaxis in laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a randomized controlled trial. Management of intra-abdominal infections. The case for intraoperative cultures and comprehensive broad-spectrum antibiotic coverage. The Canadian Intra-abdominal Infection Study Group. Single dose imipenem-cilastatin compared with three doses of cefuroxime and metronidazole as prophylaxis in elective colorectal surgery: a prospective randomized study. Imipenem prophylaxis in elective colorectal surgery. Antibiotic prophylaxis in elective gastro-intestinal tract surgery: a comparison of single-dose pre-operative cefotaxime and multiple-dose cefoxitin. Treatment of postoperative ileus after bowel surgery with low-dose intravenous erythromycin.
The effect of a combination of 4 g mezlocillin and 0.5 g metronidazole for the prophylaxis against infections in a one-shot dose immediately preoperatively compared to a short-time dose of 2 days given to 90 patients with resection of colorectal carcinoma was investigated in a prospective and randomized study. 6 patients developed a wound infection in the early postoperative phase; 4 of these infections (3 were severe, 1 was mild) occurred in the one-shot group and 2 in the short-time prophylaxis group. After more than 20 days postoperatively 3 late infections were observed which had a mild course (2 cases in the one-shot group, 1 case in the short-time prophylaxis group). All infections were localized in the sacral wound region in patients with abdominoperineal resection. The abdominal wounds healed per primam in each case. Besides those, 26 infections of the urinary tract were observed, which occurred significantly more often after the one-shot dose (40.9%) than with the short-time prophylaxis (18.6%). Intraoperative smears of the lumen of the bowels showed a remaining bacterial settlement. Besides Bacteroides species, especially Escherichia coli were found among the isolates. Moreover in some cases Clostridium, Klebsiella, Proteus and Pseudomonas could be identified. Smears of the site of operation (sacral/peritoneal cavity) were contaminated in over 50%, above all by Bacteroides species; besides those, E. coli were found most often. The subcutaneous smears showed a growth of the germs only in a few cases. Aerobic bacteria in 93.8%, anaerobic bacteria except for thetaiotaomicron and B. asaccharolyticus in 85.1%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) The use of prophylactic antibiotics in addition to mechanical cleansing is the current standard of care prior to colonic surgery. The question of whether the antibiotics should be administered intravenously or orally, or by both routes, remains controversial. Our aim was to compare three methods of prophylactic antibiotic administration in elective colorectal surgery.
                Three hundred consecutive elective colorectal resections were studied. All patients had preoperative mechanical colon cleansing with oral sodium phosphate and intravenous antibiotic prophylaxis with cefoxitin (one dose before skin incision and two postoperative doses). Patients were randomised to one of the following three groups: group A: three doses of oral antibiotic (neomycin and metronidazole) at the time of mechanical colon cleansing; group B: one dose of oral antibiotic; group C: no oral antibiotics. All patients were followed during their hospital stay and at 7, 14 and 30 days post-surgery.
                Vomiting occurred in 31%, 11% and 9% of the studied patients (groups A, B and C, respectively) (p<0.001). Nausea was present in 44%, 18% and 13% of patients (p<0.001). Abdominal pain was recorded in 13%, 10% and 4% of patients (p: 0.077). Wound infection was present in 7%, 8% and 6% and suture dehiscence occurred in 2%, 2% and 3% of the patients in the three groups (no differences among them). Neither were differences found among the three groups in terms of urinary infections, pneumonia, postoperative ileus or intra-abdominal abscess.
                The addition of three doses of oral antibiotics to intravenous antibiotic prophylaxis is associated with lower patient tolerance in terms of increased nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain, and has shown no advantages in the prevention of postoperative septic complications. Therefore, we recommend that oral antibiotics should not be used prior to colorectal surgery. The controversy over the route of administration of antibiotic prophylaxis in patients undergoing elective colorectal operations persists for oral, parenteral, and a combination of the two routes. The oral antibiotics commonly administered for colorectal prophylaxis, neomycin and eythromycin base, are not absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). However, the 4-fluoroquinolones are absorbed in the upper GIT and are excreted in part by the colonic mucosa. Their action is then to remove, or severely depress, the gram-negative aerobic bacilli leaving the anaerobic flora unaffected. This action is the principle of selective decontamination. We have assessed the efficacy of oral ciprofloxacin in a prospective randomized clinical trial in which all patients received piperacillin 4 g i.v. as single-dose parenteral prophylaxis. A group of 327 evaluable patients were randomized to receive ciprofloxacin 500 mg b.i.d. with the preoperative cathartic (group OA, n = 159) or no oral antibiotic (group NOA, n = 168). Postoperative wound infection occurred in 18 (11.3%) patients in group OA and 39 (23.2%) patients in group NOA (chi 2 = 7.2, p = 0.007). Operation-related infection of any type occurred in 23 (14.5%) patients in group OA compared with 55 (32.7%) in group NOA (chi 2 = 14.0, p = 0.0002). The median postoperative hospital stay was 11 days (interquartile range 4.5 days) for group OA and 12 days (interquartile range 8 days) for group NOA (Mann Whitney U test, p = 0.005). Ignoring the treatment group, the median postoperative hospital stay was 17 days (interquartile range 10 days) for infected patients and 11 days (interquartile range 4 days) for those not infected.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) A prospective randomized trial was designed to establish whether parenteral antibiotic prophylaxis was as effective as oral antimicrobial bowel preparation in preventing sepsis after colorectal surgery. Patients scheduled for elective resection of colorectal cancer received metronidazole and kanamycin either orally in the preoperative phase or parenterally as a short-term perioperative prophylaxis. The former regimen resulted in reduction of the microbial concentrations in the bowel contents in the absence of therapeutic serum concentrations at the time of operation, whereas the latter achieved therapeutic intraoperative serum levels without altering the colonic microflora. 72 patients were studied. There was no significant difference in the occurrence of postoperative sepsis between the two groups (a total of 72 patients). These results differ from those obtained at the Birmingham General Hospital using the same protocol, in which postoperative sepsis was significantly more common in the group of patients having oral bowel preparation. This difference was most probably due to an overgrowth of kanamycin-resistant coliforms during the period of oral antibiotic preparation. The presence of resistant organisms did not, however, result in failure of systemic prophylaxis. The authors conclude that short-term parenteral application is the safer method of antibiotic prophylaxis in colorectal surgery and is to be preferred to oral antimicrobial bowel preparation. A total of 169 patients undergoing colorectal surgery were randomly allocated to receive either gentamicin plus metronidazole or oral ciprofloxacin plus metronidazole as prophylaxis; they were also allocated to receive cover for 1 or 3 days. Twenty-eight patients (17 per cent) developed postoperative wound infections. The proportion of patients with wound infections and other infective complications was significantly less (P < 0.02) in those receiving oral ciprofloxacin. Cover for 3 days was no better than that for only 1 day. Oral ciprofloxacin for prophylaxis may offer advantages in efficacy and ease of administration compared with parenteral antibiotics. A randomized prospective study was conducted on 194 patients who underwent elective colorectal surgery for carcinoma. All patients received the same mechanical bowel preparation. In addition, patients in group A received oral neomycin and erythromycin base; patients in group B received systemic metronidazole and gentamicin, while patients in group C received both oral and systemic antibiotics. Postoperative septic complications related to colorectal surgery occurred in 27.4 per cent, 11.9 per cent and 12.3 per cent respectively in groups A, B and C (chi 2 = 7; P less than 0.05). The incidence of sepsis in groups B and C was almost identical. Patients who received oral antibiotics alone (group A) had significantly higher risks of postoperative sepsis when compared with patients in either group B or group C (P less than 0.05). As there is no additional advantage of combining oral and systemic antibiotics, we recommend systemic metronidazole and gentamicin to be used with mechanical bowel preparation in elective colorectal surgery. It is now well demonstrated that a mixed flora of aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms will be found in wound abscesses and peritonitis after bowel surgery. An impressive reduction in infectious complications caused by anaerobic microorganisms can be achieved with nitroimidazole prophylaxis, but considerable uncertainty about the role of agents active against aerobic microorganisms in such prophylaxis still exists. We have earlier reported that a single dose of tinidazole and doxycycline significantly reduces postoperative infections and is superior to doxycycline alone. The effect of an agent active only against anaerobic microorganisms was tested in a double-blind study of 267 patients who underwent elective colorectal surgery. The patients received either tinidazole (1600 mg) and placebo or tinidazole (1600 mg) and doxycycline (400 mg) as a single preoperative infusion. Patients who received tinidazole and doxycycline had significantly fewer infectious complications, reoperations, additional use of antibiotics, and a shorter hospital stay. Microbiologic studies demonstrated that tinidazole alone gave effective protection against anaerobic organisms but did not protect the patients from aerobic gram-negative infectious complications. A single preoperative dose of antimicrobial agents effective against both anaerobic and aerobic bowel organisms seems to be the preferred prophylaxis for patients undergoing colorectal surgery. In the last 2 years, 50 patients who underwent elective colorectal surgery were prospectively studied about antibiotic prophylaxis. Two groups of 25 patients each were randomly selected. Both received: (a) a colic preparation: hypactic drugs and two enemas during the day before surgery and (b) metronidazole 0.5 g plus neomycin 1 g per 8 h orally for 1 day before surgery. Every group also received: group A, metronidazole 0.5 g plus amikacin 500 mg i.v. 2 h before surgery and the same doses per 8 or 12 h, respectively, for 2 days postoperatively; group B, ornidazole 1 g by intravenous infusion plus ceftriaxone 2 g i.v. 2 h before surgery and the same doses of the drugs per 24 h for 2 days postoperatively. Wound infection occurred in 1 case of group A versus 2 cases of group B (p greater than 0.25). Ornidazole plus ceftriaxone prophylactic antibiotic therapy is therefore as effective as a classic therapy (metronidazole plus amikacin) and constitutes an alternative choice for patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery, because the simple manner of its administration (once per 24 h) is resulting in cost saving due to gained nursing time. Due to the high incidence of infective complications following colorectal surgery, prophylactic application of systemic antibiotics is required. In a prospective, randomised study of 34 patients who underwent elective colorectal surgery, it was found that a single 1 g dose of cefotaxime was as effective as three doses in controlling post-operative infections. Both groups received 500 mg metronidazole i.v. every 12 h for 72 h, with the first dose administered immediately prior to surgery. The results indicate that prophylactic cefotaxime and metronidazole are effective in reducing the incidence of septic complications following colorectal surgery; nevertheless, a study with a larger number of patients is needed to reach a definitive conclusion. A prospective, randomized double-blind study was undertaken to compare the efficacy of three prophylactic regimens (oral neomycin and erythromycin, intravenous cefoxitin, and a combination of both oral and intravenous antibiotics) in patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery. One hundred sixty-nine patients were randomized and 146 patients were evaluable. Septic complications occurred in 11.4 per cent of patients receiving oral antibiotics only, in 11.7 per cent of patients receiving intravenous cefoxitin alone, and in 7.8 per cent of patients receiving both oral and intravenous antibiotics. These differences were not statistically different. The greatest number of septic complications occurred in those patients with anastomotic disruptions. Two patients died (1.3%), both of whom had major anastomotic failures. There was no advantage between any of the groups in the incidence of wound infection (3.9-6.8%). Thus, no advantage could be identified in this study in the combination of oral and intravenous antibiotics in elective colorectal surgery. Two hundred and twenty-nine patients were entered into a study to compare the effectiveness and safety of two single-shot antibiotic regimes in patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery in two district general hospitals. A single shot of intravenous (IV) latamoxef disodium was as effective as an IV combination of cefuroxime and metronidazole in control of wound infection following elective large bowel surgery when given as a bolus at the time of anaesthetic induction. The incidence of major wound infection was 6% and was evenly distributed in the two treatment groups. Half the major wound infections were associated with faecal fistulae. A single shot of IV antibiotic at the time of anaesthetic induction was safe, simple and an effective prophylaxis against major wound infection. There was a low incidence (1.3%) of serious postoperative bleeding and no serious adverse reactions were noted. The overall mortality was 9%. Death was significantly related to elderly patients, a poor performance status, operative contamination and wound infections. A prospective randomized study was performed with 65 patients undergoing elective surgery for colorectal cancer, to evaluate the prophylactic effect of two different parenteral antibiotic regimens. All patients underwent rigorous mechanical cleansing of the bowel (enemas, laxatives), received low-residue diet 3 days pre-operatively, and were given oral metronidazole (250 mg) five times a day for 3 days preoperatively. They were divided into two groups comparable in age, nutritional status and operative procedure. The patients in group A (36) received 2 g i.v. of cefotetan at induction of anaesthesia and two other administrations every 12 h. Patients in group B (29) were given clindamicin (600 mg, i.v.) at induction of anaesthesia plus aztreonam (1 g, i.v.); two other doses of the same combined antibiotics were administered every 8 h. Five patients were excluded from the study because they underwent Miles procedure; two others because they underwent explorative laparotomy only. The overall incidence of post-operative septic complications was 6.9% (4/58). No significant differences were found in terms of the rate of surgical infections: 3.1 in group A (1/32) and 0% in group B. Urinary tract infections (1 case) and respiratory tract infections (2 cases) were observed only in group B: the rate was found to be 11.5% (3/26); two anastomotic leakages were observed in group A (6.25%) and one in group B (3.8%). These data suggest that cefotetan appears to be as effective as clindamicin plus aztreonam in prophylaxis against infection in elective colorectal surgery. The prophylactic effect of intraoperative "one shot" antibiotic application in colorectal surgery was investigated. Patients were randomised and the antibiotic combination Mezlocillin/Metronidazole (group A) or Amoxicillin/Clavulamid acid (group B) was applicated in 160 patients. 111 patients were selected for the study (group A: 59; group B: 52 patients). In the postoperative course 53% (group A) and 67% (group B) of the patients developed bacterial infections. Abdominal wound healing was complicated by infection in 15% (A) and 12% (B) of the patients. A significant difference between the two groups could not be proven, 24% of all patients with documented intraoperative bacterial contamination and 10% of the patients with negative findings developed wound infections. In colorectal surgery patients are still at high risk for infectious complications. Applicated antibiotics should basically cover aerobic and anaerobic germs. In an effort to reduce infection rates in elective colorectal surgery to acceptable levels without oral non-absorbable antimicrobials, using only a short course of systemic antimicrobials, 50 patients were studied in a multicentre trial. Each patient received metronidazole for anti-anaerobic coverage. The anti-aerobic coverage consisted of netilmicin, cefuroxime or placebo, administered in a double-blind manner. Five out of 36 evaluable patients had an infection at the operation site. Two patients had peritonitis (one metronidazole-netilmicin and one metronidazole-placebo) and three had a wound abscess in the abdominal wall (all metronidazole-placebo). It is concluded that a short course of peroperative systemic prophylaxis with metronidazole and netilmicin or cefuroxime--without the use of oral non-absorbable antimicrobials--gave acceptable results in the centres studied. The concept of a very limited effective period for prophylactic antibiotic action was challenged in a prospective, controlled and randomized study featuring a simplified method for assessing the degree of contamination in the operative field during colorectal surgery. The 226 patients were given 1 g metronidazole IV on induction of anaesthesia and 12 h postoperatively. Following standardized saline irrigation of the abdominal cavity, a uriculture dipslide was dipped in the residual fluid just before abdominal closure. The dipslide was incubated for 18 h, and colony counts of coliforms and Staphylococcus aureus were made. The number of colony-forming units (CFU) was classified as 0, 1-4 or greater than or equal to 5 (n = 123, 33 and 70). The patients with CFU greater than or equal to 5 were randomized to receive cefuroxime (1.5 g IV/8 h for 2 days) or no more antibiotics. In the patients given only metronidazole, the incidence of postoperative infections rose with the colony counts (5.7, 9.1 and 41.2 per cent with CFU 0, 1-4 and greater than or equal to 5). Addition of cefuroxime reduced the 41.2 per cent infection rate to 8.3 per cent (P = 0.003). The method thus identified a high-risk group in which a short postoperative course of cefuroxime significantly lowered the rate of sepsis. Elective colorectal surgery carries a rate of septic complications of up to 35% in patients not receiving prophylaxis. This can be reduced to 5% in patients receiving appropriate prophylactic agents. The safety and efficacy of cefonicid, a new cephalosporin with a half-life of 4-5 hr, were compared with those of cefoxitin for prophylaxis in patients undergoing elective colorectal procedures or surgery for obstruction of the small bowel. Fifty-seven assessable patients were randomly assigned in a double-blind fashion to therapy with 1 g of cefonicid intravenously (iv) or intramuscularly (im) 1 hr before surgery only or 2 g of cefoxitin iv or im 1 hr before surgery and 2 g every 6 hr for 24 hr. Groups were comparable in terms of underlying diseases. Samples for blood culture were obtained immediately before and after surgery and at 8:00 A.M. on the first and second postoperative days. No blood cultures were positive. Two of 30 patients receiving cefonicid developed wound infections (6%). Two of 27 patients receiving cefoxitin developed wound infections, and one developed an intraabdominal abscess (11%). No significant adverse effects were noted. The results suggest cefonicid may be an effective prophylactic antibiotic for bowel surgery. Most importantly, cefonicid offers the advantages associated with the administration of a single daily dosage, among which are reduction of pharmacy costs and the freeing of nursing hours for patient care. The effectivity in reducing septic complications after colorectal operations of oral 1 g Neomycin plus 0.25 g Metronidazol t.i.d. on the last preoperative day vs. intravenous single dose 5 g Mezlocillin plus 0.5 g Metronidazole was tested by sequential medical plan. There was no statistically significant difference between both chemoprophylaxis groups (p = 0.10). It is concluded that the intravenous chemoprophylaxis should be preferred because of the lowest dosage and therefore the fewest side-effects. In a prospective, randomized double-blind study either 400 mg of doxycycline + 1500 mg of metronidazole (D + M) or 400 mg of doxycycline (D) alone were given intravenously as a single preoperative dose to patients admitted for elective colorectal surgery. A comparison of the rate of postoperative septic complications was made. After excluding drop-out patients, 261 patients remained for evaluation. In 135 patients with D + M treatment there were four postoperative septic complications (3.0%). In 126 patients with D treatment 20 septic complications related to the surgical procedure occurred (15.9%). The difference is highly significant (p less than 0.005). Most postoperative infections were superficial wound infections (14 of 24 patients), and the mean hospital stay in the two treatment groups was equal. Bacteriologic studies showed a highly significant reduction in anaerobes in cultures from perioperative intra-abdominal fluid in the D + M treatment group. The study has thus showed that the addition of metronidazole, an efficient agent against anaerobic bacteria, to an antimicrobial agent against aerobic bacteria significantly reduces postoperative septic complications in elective colorectal surgery. A randomized trial including 294 patients was performed to evaluate the prophylactic effect of single vs. multiple doses of antibiotics in elective colorectal surgery. All patients received 1.5 g metronidazole and 3.0 g ampicillin peroperatively and were randomized to: no further prophylactic antibiotic treatment, or ampicillin 1 g X 3 and metronidazole 0.5 g X 3 given intravenously during the second and third postoperative days. Deep wound infection was seen in 9/149 (6 percent) receiving a single dose and in 8/145 (6 percent) receiving multiple doses. No differences were found in the two groups between frequencies of anastomotic dehiscences, intra-abdominal abscesses, sepsis, and pulmonary infections. The two groups were similar according to distribution of sex, age, diagnosis, and type of surgery. A single peroperative dose of metronidazole and ampicillin is a simple and satisfactory antibiotic prophylaxis in elective colorectal surgery. In a prospective controlled trial, 750 patients undergoing elective biliary, gastric or colorectal surgery were randomized to receive short-term or long-term antibiotic prophylaxis--cefotaxime for biliary or gastric, and gentamicin/metronidazole for colorectal operations. In all patients, delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity was preoperatively assessed by simultaneous application of seven standardized recall antigens. Positive reaction was defined as mean diameter greater than or equal to 2 mm, anergy as no positive reaction to any antigen, and a 'score' as the sum (in mm) of all the mean diameters of positive reactions. There was no significant difference in septic complication or mortality rates following short-term vs. long-term prophylaxis. Anergy was found in 21 patients (2.8%), while 63 (8.4%) scored 2-4 and 666 (88.8%) greater than or equal to 5. The incidence of postoperative infectious complications was 25% in the patients with score less than 5 and 10% in those scoring greater than or equal to 5, and the corresponding mortality was 14.3 and 2.1% (both p less than 0.001). In the group with preoperative scores less than 5, the duration of antibiotic prophylaxis influenced neither postopertive infectious complications nor mortality. Preoperative antibiotic prophylaxis is known to significantly reduce the incidence of postoperative wound infection in elective colorectal surgery, and is a recognized part of surgical management. Antibiotics are usually given systemically or orally, or by a combination of the two routes. Local antibiotic delivery to the wound site using an implanted, reabsorbable, gentamicin-containing collagen sponge is a novel concept. We compared postoperative wound infection rates in 221 colorectal surgery patients randomized to receive systemic gentamicin/metronidazole with (Group I, n = 107) or without (Group II, n = 114) the gentamicin-collagen sponge. The two patient groups were identical on the basis of demographics and operations undergone. The postoperative wound infection rate was significantly lower in Group I patients than Group II 5.6% (6/107) and 18.4% (21/ 114), respectively (p < 0.01). The mean duration of hospital stay was 13.8 days in Group I and 16.3 days in Group II, which did not represent a statistically significant difference. The gentamicin collagen sponge was well tolerated and no adverse events were reported that were attributable to its use. This new method for delivering gentamicin directly to the operative site may represent a significant method for reducing postoperative wound infection rates to levels lower than those currently achieved with systemic antibiotics alone. In an open prospective study of postoperative infectious complications, patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery were randomly allocated to one of three groups receiving parenteral single-dose antimicrobial prophylaxis (1 g or 3 g metronidazole or 1 g metronidazole + 3 g nalidixic acid). Because of an unacceptably high rate of surgical infection in all three groups (36%, 29% and 39%, p greater than 0.1) among the first 103 evaluable patients, the study was discontinued. Nalidixic acid--though effective in in vitro tests of bacterial susceptibility--thus was found to be of little or no value as prophylaxis against Gram-negative infection. As the observed infection rate when metronidazole was given at the start of operation was seven-fold that previously found in the same department when 1 g metronidazole was administered 3-4 hours preoperatively (28/103 vs. 2/50, p less than 0.01), the timing of metronidazole prophylaxis was assumed to be potentially important for its ability to protect also against aerobic postoperative infection. The present study was undertaken in order to compare the effect of different antimicrobial regimens on the incidence of postoperative wound infections after elective colorectal surgery. The series consists of 84 patients, randomized in the following three groups: Group I was treated with bacitracin/neomycin tablets during the 3 days immediately prior to operation. Group II received doxycycline 200 mg orally 12-18 hours preoperatively and 200 mg intravenously during the subsequent 4 days. Group III is identical with group II, but in addition, 2 grams of tinidazole were given orally as a single dose 12-18 hours preoperatively. The ordinary preoperative treatment with low residue diet and bowel cleansing was the same for all groups. The wound infection rate was 37% (10 patients) in group I, 18.2% (6 patients) in group II, and 8.3% (2 patients) in group III. No serious side effects were observed in any of the groups. Prophylactic use of topical ampicillin in addition to intravenous ampicillin and metronidazole was studied in a randomized trial including 203 consecutive patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery. All received ampicillin, 1 g X 3, and metronidazole, 0.5 g X 3, intravenously for at least three days from induction of anesthesia, and 105 also received topical ampicillin, 1 g, in each of the surgical wounds. Deep wound infection or dehiscence was seen in 12 of 105 having both administrations of antibiotics, and in nine of 98 having only intravenous antibiotics. The two groups were similar according to distribution of sex, age, type of surgery, and efficiency of bowel preparation. Topical ampicillin should be omitted in elective colorectal surgery when systemic prophylaxis with ampicillin and metronidazole is used. The ideal prophylactic antibiotic regimen has not been established for patients undergoing colectomy, mucosal proctectomy, and endorectal ileoanal anastomosis, a prolonged operation frequently accompanied by abdominal and pelvic contamination and associated with an infection rate up to 20%. The aim of this study was to evaluate, in a prospective, randomized, double-blind fashion, the efficacy of a short perioperative course compared to an extended postoperative course of intravenous antibiotics (cefoxitin) in patients undergoing colectomy with ileoanal anastomosis. Forty patients with ulcerative colitis or familial polyposis coli received a mechanical and oral antibiotic bowel preparation and a standard three-dose perioperative course of intravenous cefoxitin. Patients then were randomized to receive intravenous cefoxitin, 1 g every 6 hours, or placebo for 5 days. No differences in overall postoperative morbidity were observed and neither group developed intra-abdominal, pelvic, or wound infections. It is concluded that a standard three-dose perioperative course of intravenous antibiotics provides adequate prophylaxis in the prevention of infectious complications in patients undergoing colectomy, mucosal proctectomy, and ileoanal anastomosis. Ninety patients were included in this prospective randomized trial. Each required electric colorectal surgery and was prepared for operation with oral preoperative antibiotic therapy, systemic peroperative therapy, or by a combination of both. The number of each type of septic postoperative complication and their total did not differ between the group treated by oral antibiotics prior to operation and the group treated peroperatively with systemic antibiotic therapy. The total number of septic complications (wall abscesses, fistulas, subdiaphragmatic abscesses, septicemia, peritonitis), however, was significantly less (P less than 0.05) in the group treated by both preoperative oral antibiotics and peroperative systemic antibiotic therapy (3.3 per cent) than in either groups treated only orally preoperatively (30 per cent) or by systemic antibiotic therapy during the operation (23 per cent). The combination of oral antibiotic therapy prior to operation and of systemic peroperative antibiotic therapy, therefore, presents the most effective prophylactic effectiveness. When prophylactic antibiotics are used in abdominal surgery it is customary to give the first dose before the operation. Whilst intra-operative antibiotics may be effective in elective surgery, there may be an advantage to starting pre-operatively when there is already an infective focus such as appendicitis. Antibiotics started pre-operatively (group P) have been compared with antibiotics started after initial abdominal exploration (group T). Three intravenous doses of 500 mg metronidazole plus 1 g cephazolin were given in a randomized, double-blind study of 700 emergency and elective high-risk abdominal operations. Antibiotic plasma concentrations at the end of the operation were significantly lower in group P but lay well within the therapeutic range. Wound infection rates, which included minor and delayed infections, were similar in both groups (group P, 57 of 342, 16.7 per cent; group T, 55 of 358, 15.4 per cent; 95 per cent confidence intervals for the difference being -4.1 to +6.7 per cent. In appendicitis, wound infection rates were 12.1 and 13.9 per cent for groups P and T respectively. However, non-fatal deep sepsis was more common in group P (nine cases) than in group T (two cases) (chi 2 = 4.9, P less than 0.05). Postoperative infection was twice as common in obese patients whose body mass index (BMI) was greater than or equal to 26 (39 of 132, 30 per cent) than in thin patients whose BMI was less than 24 (41 of 288, 14 per cent; chi 2 = 13.8, P less than 0.001). This study failed to show any advantage to starting antibiotics pre-operatively, even in appendicitis. In an open prospective, randomized study of antimicrobial prophylaxis in colorectal surgery, using a single intravenous dose, metronidazole (1 g) was more effective than doxycycline (0.2 g). The difference in infection rates (2/41 = 5% v. 7/33 = 21%) was statistically significant. Prolonged administration of either agent (2-7 days) yielded results comparable to those with single doses. Five emergency cases were admitted to the study. In two of them, a metronidazole-based therapeutic regimen prevented postoperative infection, whereas infection occurred in all 3 patients given doxycycline therapy. The total infection rate after elective surgery was 4% with metronidazole and 25% with doxycycline prophylaxis. The infections in the metronidazole group were superficial and caused by Escherichia coli, whereas half of the infections in the doxycycline group were intra-abdominal and due to intestinal aerobic and/or anaerobic bacteria. In contrast to doxycycline, therefore, metronidazole prevented postoperative anaerobic infection and was associated with low incidence of aerobic infection. The impact on wound infection of the addition of perioperative cefamandole to a mechanical bowel preparation with oral antibiotics was studied in a prospective randomized series of patients undergoing elective colectomy for biopsy-proven carcinoma or adenomatous polyps. Seventy patients were randomized, all underwent mechanical bowel preparation and received oral neomycin and erythromycin base. Thirty-four patients also received a preoperative and four postoperative doses of cefamandole, while 36 patients were randomized to receive no parenteral antibiotics. The two groups were well stratified for age, sex, and risk factors. The Dukes stage was similar and the surgical procedures were equally distributed in the two groups. There were no wound infections in the 34 patients receiving cefamandole and only one wound infection (2.8 percent) in the 36 control patients. Therefore, the addition of perioperative intravenous cefamandole to a good mechanical bowel preparation with oral antibiotics was of no benefit in reducing wound infections following resection of colorectal malignancies in this select group of patients. In a prospective randomized trial, systemic antimicrobial prophylaxis with metronidazole and gentamicin was compared to the administration of metronidazole alone in elective colorectal surgery. In both groups, an identical mechanical large-bowel preparation was performed. In order to reduce the duration of the whole-gut irrigation, a 10% mannitol solution was administered before the irrigation procedure. Although no serious infections were observed in either group, the incidence of superficial wound infections was relatively high: 19% in the group with metronidazole and gentamicin prophylaxis and 25% in the other group. From all these wounds E. coli was isolated, and no obligate anaerobic bacteria were cultured. This high rate of wound infections is most likely caused by an overgrowth of E. coli after irrigation, due to the residues of mannitol in the colon, which serve as a nutrient for E. coli. It is concluded that mannitol should not be used in the preoperative mechanical preparation of the large bowel before elective colorectal surgery. A prospective randomized controlled trial (RCT) of multimodal perioperative management protocol in patients undergoing elective colorectal resection for cancer.
                This study evaluates the use of a multimodal package in colorectal cancer surgery in the context of an RCT.
                Patients for elective resection for colorectal cancer were offered trial entry. Participants were stratified by sex and requirement for a total mesorectal excision and centrally randomized. Multimodal patients received intravenous fluid restriction, unrestricted oral intake with prokinetic agents, early ambulation, and fixed regimen epidural analgesia. Control patients received intravenous fluids to prevent oliguria, restricted oral intake until return of bowel motility, and weaning regimen epidural analgesia. Adherence to both regimens was reinforced using a daily checklist and protocol guidance sheets. Discharge decision was made using pre-agreed criteria. The primary endpoint was postoperative stay, and achievement of independence milestones. Secondary endpoints were postoperative complications, readmission rates, and mortality. Analysis was by intention to treat.
                Seventy patients were recruited. Approximately one fourth underwent TME. Median ages were similar (69.3 vs. 73.0 years). The median stay was significantly reduced in the multimodal group (5 vs. 7 days; P < 0.001, Mann-Whitney U test). Patients in the control arm were 2.5 times as likely to require a postoperative stay of more than 5 days. Patients in the multimodal group had less cardiorespiratory and anastomotic complications but more readmissions. There were 2 deaths, both controls.
                This RCT provides level 1b evidence that a multimodal management protocol can significantly reduce postoperative stay following colorectal cancer surgery. Morbidity and mortality are not increased. The need for antibiotic treatment when performing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy may not be as important as it is thought. This study assesses the real efficacy of antibiotic prophylaxis in elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy with respect to the postoperative infection rate.
                A prospective randomized study on the routine use of antibiotic prophylaxis in laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
                University teaching hospital, La Sapienza, Italy.
                Eighty-four patients randomly placed into 2 groups (A [n = 44] and B [n = 40]) immediately before undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
                Before anesthesia was administered, group A received intravenously 2 g of cefotaxime sodium diluted in 100 mL of isotonic sodium chloride solution; group B, 10 mL of isotonic sodium chloride solution in 100 mL of saline. A gallbladder bile sample for culture was withdrawn intraoperatively from all patients. In both groups, age, sex, weight, duration of surgery, presence of diabetes, American Society of Anesthesiologists patient classification score, preoperative autologous blood donation, antibiotic administration, intraoperative gallbladder rupture, findings from bile culture positive for bacteria, episodes of colic within 30 days before surgery, length of postoperative hospital stay, and number of septic complications were recorded. All data were correlated by univariate and multivariate analyses with the onset of septic phenomena.
                In group A, 3 cases of wound infection, 1 case of subhepatic abscess from bile leakage, and 1 case of urinary tract infection were observed; group B, 4 cases of wound infection, 1 case of bronchopneumonia, and 2 cases of urinary tract infection. Comparison of data showed no statistically significant difference between the groups. Findings from bile examination in patients with sepsis complications were positive in 5 patients in group A and in 6 in group B (P = .91). Multivariate analysis showed diabetes mellitus and colic episodes within 30 days before surgery as independent factors significantly associated to the onset of infectious complications.
                In elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy, antibiotic treatment did not seem to affect the incidence and severity of infections or the degree of bile contamination. In a prospective randomized, blind trial, three groups of patients undergoing elective colonic surgery were compared for frequency of surgical wound infection, intra-operative wound contamination and other postoperative infections. All patients allotted to the three groups received whole gut irrigation (101 balanced salt solution) by gastric tube on the evening before surgery and were treated as follows. Group A: no antibiotics; Group B: neomycin (1 g/l) + bacitracin (50,000 IU/l) + clindamycin (900 mg/l), contained in the last 31 of irrigation fluid; Group C: mezlocillin (4 g) + oxacillin (2 g) intravenously (iv) at induction of anaesthesia, followed by two identical doses at 8 and 16 h. The rate of postoperative wound infection was highest in A (38 per cent) and much lower in B (3.3 per cent, P less than 0.002) and C (6.9 per cent, P less than 0.004). The difference between B and C was statistically not significant. In A a correlation was established between the degree of wound contamination and the occurrence of wound infection. Intra-operative wound contamination was lowest in B (30 per cent), equal in A (58.1 per cent) and B (55.2 per cent). Other infections were least frequent in group C (four of 29 patients), but were not significantly different to groups B (six of 30) and A (nine of 31). It is concluded that antibiotics together with an effective mechanical preparation considerably reduce the rate of wound infection in colonic surgery. The impact of oral antimicrobial prophylaxis on the surgical site infection and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection after elective colorectal surgery was evaluated by a prospective randomized single-blind study. The patients were randomly allocated to receive either mechanical bowel cleansing with polyethylene glycol alone (group 1) or mechanical cleansing plus oral antimicrobial prophylaxis with kanamycin and erythromycin for 2 days prior to surgery (group 2). In both groups, cefotiam was intravenously given twice a day for 3 days. A total of 143 patients (71 for group 1 and 72 for group 2) were eligible. The incidence of a surgical site infection was 23.9% in group 1 and 11.1% in group 2 (P = 0.04). The incidence of MRSA infection including at surgical and remote sites was 11.1% in group 1 and 5.6% in group 2 (P = 0.19). A multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the risk of surgical site infection was influenced by the choice of the chemical bowel preparation (P = 0.03) and blood loss (P < 0.01), while an MRSA infection was predominantly influenced by blood loss (P < 0.01) followed by coexisting underlying diseases (P = 0.07). These results suggest that preoperative antimicrobial prophylaxis would be useful for reducing the incidence of a surgical site infection without increasing the risk of an MRSA infection following elective colorectal surgery. In 97 patients undergoing elective biliary (44) or colorectal (53) surgery, cases were randomly allocated to receive peri-operative prophylaxis with either cefoxitin (Mefoxin; MSD) or metronidazole, penicillin and tobramycin (MPT). Sepsis occurred in 3 of the biliary cases (6,8%) and in 16 of the colorectal cases (30,2%). In the colorectal group sepsis occurred equally in patients receiving cefoxitin (22,2%) or MPT (38,5%) (P = 0,20). Patients who developed sepsis did not have a prolonged hospital stay; strict criteria were used to define sepsis in this study and this explains the apparently high sepsis rate. A positive wound culture at the end of the operation was more common after colorectal surgery (30,2%) than after biliary surgery (4,6%) and was associated with a higher subsequent infection rate (P = 0,02). During a 24-month period, 350 patients were prospectively studied in an effort to determine the perioperative factors in the development of infections after colon and rectal resections. All patients received standard mechanical bowel preparation; perioperative parenteral cefoxitin (group A) or preoperative oral neomycin and erythromycin, in addition to perioperative cefoxitin (Group B), were also given. Both groups were comparable with respect to age, sex, associated diseases, and primary diagnosis. Wound infections developed in nine of 169 (5%) group B patients and in 15 of 141 (11%) group A patients. Stratification by type of operative procedure revealed that the rectal resections involved the highest rate of infection in group A (22%) and in group B (11%). In patients requiring intraperitoneal colon resection, the rates of wound sepsis were similar (3% in both groups). Analysis of length of operation revealed that in operations lasting 215 minutes or more the infection rate was 12%; in those lasting less than 215 minutes the rate was 4%. Patients with rectal resection and operative times of 215 minutes or more had a wound infection rate of 19% compared to 2% (p less than 0.05) in those with shorter nonrectal operations. Group B patients with the longer rectal operations had lower infection rates (11%) than group A patients (27%), while there was no difference among those who had shorter operations. Intra-abdominal abscesses (p less than 0.01) and anastomotic dehiscence (p less than 0.05) were also significantly reduced in group B patients. Postoperative wound infection is associated with length of operation and location of colon resection and can be significantly lowered by a combination of oral and parenteral antibiotics. In a prospective randomized double-blind trial the effect of a short prophylactic course of a systemically administered antibiotic combination was studied in a series of 53 consecutive patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery. Bowel preparation was performed conventionally with cathartics and saline enemas or with an elementary diet. Patients of both preparation groups were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group. Treated patients received 3 doses of kanamycin 500 mg plus clindamycin 600 mg intramuscularly. Four patients were withdrawn from the study for various reasons, leaving 49 patients for analysis. Wound infections were regarded as slight (grade I) or clinically important (grade II). The frequency of all wound infections (grade I + grade II) was 8% in the treatment group (25 patients) versus 66.7% in the control group (24 patients). The frequency of the grade II wound infections alone was 4.0% versus 54.7%. The difference was significant in both cases (p less than 0.0005). In a randomized prospective controlled trial involving 311 patients undergoing acute or elective colorectal surgery, the efficacy and safety of two different single dose and one triple dose regimen of antibiotic prophylaxis, as well as the influence of blood transfusion on postoperative infectious complications, were studied. Postoperative infectious complications occurred in a total of 59 patients (19.0 per cent). There were no major differences between the three treatment groups. Thirty-four patients (10.9 per cent) developed abdominal wound infection, 17 patients (5.5 per cent) intra-abdominal abscess and 16 patients (5.1 per cent) anastomotic leakage. Of 202 patients (65.0 per cent) requiring blood transfusion during hospitalization 57 (28.2 per cent; 95 per cent confidence limits of 23-36 per cent) developed infectious complications, whereas two non-transfused patients (1.8 per cent; 95 per cent confidence limits of 0.2 to 6 per cent; P less than 0.001) developed infectious complications. It is concluded that one single dose of antibiotic prophylaxis in acute and elective colorectal surgery is as protective as a triple dose regimen. The development of infectious complications despite antibiotic prophylaxis is strongly related to blood transfusion. In a prospective randomized trial clinical results of orthograde bowel lavage alone (group I) versus combined bowel lavage and parenteral antibiotic prophylaxis with 4 gm Cefoxitin (group II) in two separate dosages (perioperative short-term-prophylaxis) are compared with regard to the reduction of septic complications after colorectal surgery. Septic wound complications were 11/27 = 41% in group I and 2/30 = 7% in group II. The rate of anastomotic leakages was significantly different in the two groups (5/27 in group I, 0 in group II). The monetary costs for given antibiotics and the duration of hospitalization were less in group II. Orthograde bowel lavage alone proved to be of no effect in reducing the rate of septic complications when used without antibiotic perioperative short-term-prophylaxis and therefore cannot be recommended to be used solely. 97 patients scheduled to undergo elective surgery for colorectal carcinoma were randomized to receive either three doses of intravenous metronidazole-e and tobramycin or three doses of intravenous metronidazole alone. The first dose was given after induction of general anesthesia, the second at 9 p.m. and the third at 6 a.m. the following day. The study was double-blind, with patients in the metronidazol-alone group given a placebo infusion instead of tobramycin. The overall postoperative infection rate was 19.6% with no statistically significant difference between the two groups. It is concluded that the addition of an aminoglycoside does not afford better protection than prophylaxis with metronidazole alone. Elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) has a low risk for infective complications, but many surgeons still use prophylactic antibiotics. The use of prophylactic antibiotics for LC is inconsistent and varies widely among surgeons.
                We performed a prospective double-blind randomized study of prophylactic antibiotics in elective LC. Antibiotics were was given first before the operation and then again 24 h afterward. Group A ( n = 49) received 2 g of cefotaxime; group B ( n = 43) received 10 ml of isotonic sodium chloride solution. A sample of bile was withdrawn by direct gallbladder puncture for anaerobic and aerobic cultures. Age, sex, weight, duration of surgery (DOS), presence of diabetes mellitus, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification, gallbladder rupture, bile and/or stone spillage, gallbladder histological findings, findings from bile cultures positive for bacteria, episodes of colic within 30 days before surgery, length of stay (LOS), and number of septic complications were recorded for both groups.
                There was no differences between the two groups in terms of sex, weight, DOS, ASA score, gallbladder rupture, bile and/or stone spillage, gallbladder histological findings, findings from bile cultures positive for bacteria, or LOS. One infection occurred in the antibiotic prophylaxis group (2.04%); in the patients not receiving antibiotics, there was one other infection (2.32%). There was no statistical difference between the two groups in infective complications.
                In patients undergoing elective LC, antibiotic prophylaxis is justified only in high-risk patients. In all other patients, antibiotic prophylaxis does not seem to affect the incidence of postoperative infective complications. In low-risk patients, eliminating the unnecessary use of prophylactic antibiotics would result in a cost reduction; moreover, it would lower the risk of adverse reaction and reduce microbial resistance. To compare the efficacy of combined oral and systemic antibiotics (combined) versus systemic antibiotics (systemic) alone in preventing surgical site infection in elective surgery of the colon, and to perform a meta-analysis of randomized studies comparing combined versus systemic antibiotics in elective colon surgery.
                A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial.
                The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Montreal, a university-affiliated community hospital.
                Two hundred and fifteen patients scheduled to undergo elective surgery of the colon.
                Patients were randomized to receive neomycin and metronidazole orally (109 patients) or identical placebos (106 patients) on the final preoperative day. All were given amikacin and metronidazole intravenously just before operation. Thirteen randomized series comparing combined and systemic antibiotic prophylaxis in elective colon surgery were identified for meta-analysis.
                Rates of postoperative surgical site infections: risk differences, risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs); organisms found in the colon and wound fat at surgery, and in infected wounds.
                Three patients in the systemic group, and 5 in the combined group were excluded. Wound infections occurred in 5 patients in the combined group but in 17 in the systemic group (p < 0.01, RR = 0.29, 95% CI 0.11-0.75). Bacteria isolated from wound infections and wound fat were similar to those found in the colon. They were more frequent in the colon in the systemic group (p < 0.001) and occurred in wound fat in the systemic group twice as often as in the combined group (p < 0.001). By stepwise logistic regression, the presence of bacteria in wound fat at surgery was the strongest predictor of postoperative wound infection (p < 0.002). In the meta-analysis, the summary weighted risk difference in surgical site infections between groups (d(w)) and the summary RR both favoured combined prophylaxis (d(w) = 0.56, 95% CI 0.26-0.86; RR = 0.51, 95% CI 0.24-0.78; p < 0.001).
                In elective surgery of the colon combined oral and systemic antibiotics are superior to systemic antibiotics in preventing surgical site infections. Orally administered antibiotics add value by reducing bacterial loading of the colon and wound fat contamination, both associated with postoperative wound infection. Meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials reported from 1975 to 1995 supports these conclusions. The efficacy of cefoxitin, a perioperative parenteral antibiotic, combined with mechanical bowel preparation and oral antibiotics to prevent wound infections and other septic complications in patients undergoing elective colorectal operations, was examined in a prospective randomized study. All 197 patients who completed the study received mechanical bowel preparation and oral neomycin/erythromycin base. In addition a perioperative parenteral antibiotic was given in three divided doses to 101 patients. The other 96 patients received no parenteral antibiotics. The overall incidence of intra-abdominal septic complications was 7.3% (7 of 96) in the control group (no cefoxitin) and 5% (5 of 101) in the treatment group (cefoxitin). This difference was not statistically significant. The incidence of abdominal wound infection was 14.6% in the control group and 5% in the treatment group, a statistically significant difference (p = 0.02). The addition of perioperative parenteral cefoxitin greatly reduced the incidence of wound infections in patients undergoing elective colorectal operations who had been prepared with mechanical bowel cleansing and oral antimicrobial agents. To establish whether a single preoperative dose of cefotaxime plus metronidazole was as effective as a standard three dose regimen of cefuroxime plus metronidazole in preventing wound infection after colorectal surgery.
                Prospective randomised allocation to one of two prophylactic antibiotic regimens in a parallel group trial. Group sequential analyses of each 250 patients were performed.
                14 District general and teaching hospitals.
                1018 Adults having colorectal operations were randomised, of whom 943 were evaluated. Demographic features, conditions requiring surgery, and operative procedures were similar in the two groups. Most patients had surgery for carcinoma of the colon or rectum.
                Group 1 received cefotaxime 1 g intravenously plus metronidazole 500 mg intravenously preoperatively. Group 2 received cefuroxime 1.5 g intravenously plus metronidazole 500 mg intravenously preoperatively, followed by cefuroxime 750 mg intravenously plus metronidazole 500 mg intravenously eight hours and 16 hours postoperatively.
                Development of surgical wound infection (as evidenced by the presence of pus), death, or discharge from hospital.
                Wound condition was scored on a five point scale on alternate days until discharge or for up to 20 days postoperatively. Wound infection rates were: group 1, 32/453 (7.1%; 95% confidence interval 4.7% to 9.4%); group 2, 33/454 (7.3%; 95% confidence interval 4.9% to 9.6%). Death rates (group 1: 26/470 (5.5%); group 2: 31/471 (6.6%], the incidence of postoperative complications, the median duration of hospital stay (12 days), and antibiotic tolerance were all similar in the two groups. Pooled data from groups 1 and 2 showed that wound infections were more frequent when minor faecal contamination had occurred at operation and when the duration of operation exceeded 90 minutes (greater than 90 min 11.2% of cases; less than 90 min 4.8%) and were associated with an extended hospital stay.
                A single preoperative dose of cefotaxime plus metronidazole is an efficacious as a three dose regimen of cefuroxime plus metronidazole in preventing wound infection after colorectal surgery and has practical advantages in eliminating the need for postoperative antibiotics. We compared two prophylactic antimicrobial regimens in 615 patients undergoing elective colorectal surgical procedures. Patients ranged in age from 19 to 92 years (median 66 years); the majority were male (54.0%) and most (77.7%) had neoplastic disease. All underwent mechanical bowel preparation. Patients were randomized to receive preoperative infusions of 2 g cefepime (n=307) or 2 g ceftriaxone (n=308), followed by 500 mg metronidazole. Patients were followed for up to 4 to 6 weeks after surgery. Antimicrobial prophylaxis was successful in preventing primary site infections in 92.8% of patients in the cefepime + metronidazole arm and 92.9% of patients in the ceftriaxone + metronidazole arm. Both regimens were well tolerated. A single dose of cefepime + metronidazole thus seems to be a very useful alternative to other regimens for prophylaxis in patients undergoing colorectal surgery. A double-blind, randomized, prospective study comparing the efficacy of two intravenously administered antibiotics was conducted at Vancouver General Hospital on 98 patients undergoing elective colon surgery. The test drugs, erythromycin gluceptate and metronidazole, were each administered intravenously in 500 mg doses. The first dose was administered with the premedication 1 hour before surgery and the subsequent two doses were administered at 8-hour intervals. All patients received three doses of tobramycin intravenously, 1.5 mg/kg body weight, at the same time as the study drug. Fourteen patients developed wound infections, of which seven were classified as major and seven as minor infections. A major infection was diagnosed when the patient had a fever, required antibiotics, or had a prolonged hospital stay because of the wound infection. Three patients with major infections had received metronidazole and four had received erythromycin. Four patients with minor infections had received metronidazole and three patients had received erythromycin. The two treatment populations were similar with respect to type of surgery, age, gender, weight, and nutritional status. Both drugs were equally well tolerated. The overall wound infection was 14.4%, with no difference between erythromycin and metronidazole. In a series of 157 patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery, metronidazole or doxycycline was given to prevent infectious complications. The prophylaxis was started just before the operation and was administered for a total of three days. Excluding mild, negligible infections, 39 (25%) of the 157 patients had infectious complications, 23 from the metronidazole group (28%) and 16 from the doxycycline group (21%). The type of infection varied according to the medication. In four cases of the metronidazole group and 16 of the doxycycline group, anaerobic bacteria were found. The corresponding figures for aerobes were 36 and 20. Doxycycline thus was significantly more effective in preventing complications in general, but metronidazole gave superior protection against anaerobes. In a multicenter study the prophylactic efficacy of two antibiotic regimens was tested against postoperative septic complications following elective colorectal surgery. The study was conducted in a prospective block-randomized design. Patients were preoperatively allocated to either ampicillin, 1 gm, four times daily, and metronidazole, 0.5 gm, three times daily, for 72 hours, or to cefoxitin, 2 gm, given three times in a period of 10 hours. Both regimens were initiated immediately before surgery. Forty-five patients were withdrawn from the study after randomization. Three hundred fifty two patients (175 receiving ampicillin and metronidazole and 177 receiving cefoxitin) completed the study and were followed for one month postoperatively. The frequency of septic and nonseptic complications was not statistically significant different between the two regimens. About one third of all septic complications appeared more than two weeks after surgery. It is concluded that short-term treatment with cefoxitin is at least as efficient as a three-day treatment with ampicillin and metronidazole. It has been suggested that wound infection rates after colorectal operations are influenced more by the presence of adequate tissue levels of antimicrobials at the time of contamination than by the extent of bacterial colonization of the intestinal lumen. There are, however, theoretical grounds for the belief that both levels are important. The authors therefore conducted a random control trial in 119 consecutive patients undergoing elective colorectal operations, comparing the results in a group receiving purely parenteral antimicrobial prophylaxis with those in one having a combined oral and parenteral regimen. The results in 83 contemporary nonrandomized patients, all of whom had the combined prophylactic regimen, are also reported. Oral bowel preparation resulted in a significantly smaller number of operation cultures showing growth of fecal gram-negative aerobes and anaerobes than did the purely parenteral regimen. There were more isolations of enterococci in the combined group but the excess did not achieve statistical significance. The rates of infective complications were higher in the parenteral than in the combined group, the difference in wound infection rates being statistically significant; the figures were 27.6 percent and 13.9 percent, respectively (P = .04). It is concluded that, in colorectal operations, it is advisable not only to ensure adequate tissue levels of antimicrobials but also to reduce the risk of endogenous bacterial infection by partially decontaminating the bowel. Sixty assessable patients undergoing elective colonic and rectal surgery were randomly allocated to receive prophylaxis with a combination of 1.5 g cefuroxime plus 500 mg metronidazole or 500 mg metronidazole alone as single doses by the intravenous route, given at the beginning of anesthesia. The two groups were matched for age, sex, malignancy, and type of operation. Primary wound infections were observed in one patient (3.7%) in the combination group and six (18.2%) in the group given metronidazole alone. This trend was not statistically significant. Bacteriologic examination of the anastomoses, abdominal walls, and wounds showed significantly more sterile cultures in the combination group, although more aerobic cefuroxime-resistant isolates were seen in this group. There is no evidence that the emergence of resistant strains had any influence on the outcome of patients in the study. It was concluded that an appropriate antibiotic prophylactic regimen for colorectal surgery should be directed against aerobic and anaerobic organisms. Cefuroxime plus metronidazole is an effective regimen for the prevention of postoperative infection. Previous trials showed that perioperative immunonutrition improved outcome in patients with gastrointestinal cancer. This study was designed to appraise the impact of the simple preoperative oral arginine and n-3 fatty acids supplementation on immune response, gut oxygenation, and postoperative infections.
                Two hundred patients with colorectal neoplasm were randomized to: (a) oral intake for 5 days before surgery of a formula enriched with arginine and n-3 fatty acids (pre-op group; n = 50); (b) same preoperative treatment prolonged after surgery by jejunal infusion (peri-op group; n = 50); (c) oral intake for 5 days before surgery of a standard isoenergetic, isonitrogenous formula (control group; n = 50); and (d) no supplementation before and after operation (conventional group; n = 50). The immune response was measured by phagocytosis ability of polymorphonuclear cells and delayed hypersensitivity response to skin tests. Gut oxygenation and microperfusion were assessed by polarographic probes and laser Doppler flowmetry, respectively.
                The 4 groups were comparable for demographics, comorbidity, and surgical variables. The 2 groups receiving immunoutrients (pre-op and peri-op) had a significantly better immune response, gut oxygenation, and microperfusion than the other 2 groups. Intent-to-treat analysis showed an overall infection rate of 12% in pre-op, 10% in peri-op, 32% in control, and 30% in conventional groups (P <.04 pre-op and peri-op vs control and conventional).
                Preoperative oral arginine and n-fatty acids improves the immunometabolic response and decreases the infection rate. Postoperative prolongation with such supplemented formula has no additional benefit. Forty-two patients admitted for elective colorectal surgery were given tinidazole and doxycycline or doxycycline alone as prophylactic antimicrobials in a double-blind study. There was altogether one abdominal wound infection (2.4%), and one patient developed a perineal fistula three months after the operation. No significant difference in postoperative infections between the two groups could be demonstrated. It is concluded that doxycycline seems effective in reducing wound sepsis after operations on the large intestine and that additional administration of tinidazole will yield little in prophylaxis. A single intravenous dose of tobramycin and lincomycin, given at the start of gastrointestinal operations, significantly reduced the incidence of postoperative wound infection from 34% to 5%. The occurrence of both anaerobic and aerobic bacteria was reduced. Therapeutic concentrations of the antibiotics were maintained throughout the operative period in most cases. No toxic effects of the antibiotics were detected, no anaesthetic complication occurred, and resistant strains of bacteria normally sensitive to the antibiotics were not isolated from wounds. Whether or not topical application of ampicillin is necessary in patients undergoing elective colorectal operations was investigated. After mechanical preparation, 193 patients received 2 grams of cefotaxime administered intravenously from the start of the operation; patients received two more doses within the next 12 hours. In addition, patients were randomized to receive or not receive prophylaxis against infection of 2 grams of ampicillin in the site of the incision at closure. Twenty-three patients did not complete the study. Wound infection occurred in five of 81 patients who had topical application of ampicillin compared with six of 89 patients who did not receive prophylaxis; the difference was not significant. There were no significant differences in rates of wound dehiscence, intra-abdominal abscess or anastomotic leakage. Escherichia coli and Bacteroides fragilis were the predominant microorganisms isolated. Thus, topical application of ampicillin did not lower the wound infection rate when there was a preoperative antibiotic administered intravenously. Reductions of frequency of administration and dosage of antibiotic agents used in colorectal surgery may lower costs and the occurrence of adverse side effects. In a prospective randomized trial we evaluated two single-short regimens, a low dose of 1 g cefotiam against a standard dose of 2 g cefotiam, both in combination with 500 mg metronidazole. The low-dose group had twice the number of patients with wound sepsis (4 of 30) than the group receiving the standard antibiotic regimen (2 of 30). Two hours after infusion, the antibiotic concentrations in samples of serum, subcutaneous fatty tissue, and colonic wall of those patients receiving 1 g cefotiam were < 1 mg/l. The concentrations after administration of 2 g cefotiam were higher, as expected, and without any adverse side effects. In conclusion, we prefer infection prophylaxis by the standard dose of 2 g cefotiam plus 500 mg metronidazole in colorectal surgery. A prospective randomized study on the effect of doxycycline alone, tinidazole alone and the two antimicrobials in two different combinations as prophylactic antimicrobials on elective colorectal surgery is presented (Table II). The number of patients included in the study was 265. Of the four different treatment groups, the one which consisted of a single preoperative dose of tinidazole 2 g and doxycycline 200 mg, seemed to give the most favourable result. In this treatment group (n = 70), wound sepsis was recorded in 7.2% and perineal sepsis in 34.8% of the cases. Only one serious, but non-fatal intra-abdominal complication (1.4%) was observed in this group. The trial did not include a placebo group. In an open, prospective, and randomized investigation on the prophylactic efficacy of peroral neomycin sulfate-erythromycin base vs intravenous ceftriaxone-metronidazole preparation in colorectal surgery, no significantly diverging results between regimens were recorded (1/27 [3.7%] and 2/27 [7.4%] wound infections, respectively). Commentary is made about the diverging results from earlier studies on antimicrobial prophylaxis and on the multifactorial causality of surgical infection. We believe that variables such as physical condition of the patients, virulence and local resistance patterns of bacteria, and technical skill of the surgeons are far more important in regard to the postoperative outcome concerning septic complications than is the choice of proper antibiotics. Thus, to determine the efficacy of antimicrobial prophylaxis, we call for larger investigations in the future, preferably double-blind, where it is possible to better control and diminish the influence of determinants other than the antibiotics being compared. Some clinicians administer prophylactic antibiotics routinely before laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and the results of some of the studies in the literature support this practice. We conducted a prospective randomized trial to determine whether administration of prophylactic antibiotics is necessary during routine laparoscopic cholecystectomy in low-risk patients.
                Two hundred fifty patients without evidence of acute inflammation, common duct stones, or other indications for antibiotics were randomized to receive three perioperative doses of cefazolin or no prophylaxis and followed up for complications up to 30 days postoperatively. The primary end point was the occurrence of a major infectious complication, defined as that causing a systemic response, delaying discharge, or leading to readmission. Minor infectious problems were also noted, defined as those causing local symptoms only.
                One hundred twenty-eight patients were randomized to receive prophylactic antibiotics (PA group), 122 to receive none (NONE group; two patients in this group were actually given preoperative antibiotics). Only one major complication occurred (in a patient in the NONE group), an abscess in the presence of a bile leak, despite the administration of antibiotics when the leak was discovered several days before infectious problems arose. There were four minor problems: two lower urinary tract infections and one superficial wound infection in a NONE patient and one urinary tract infection in a PA patient (not significant); all were easily managed. The prophylactic antibiotics did not sterilize the bile, and infectious complications were not associated with weight, inflammation found at the time of operation, reported stone or bile spill-age, or conversion to open operation.
                Prophylactic antibiotics are not necessary for elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy in low-risk patients. In a prospective randomized trial on 77 patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery, cefoxitin and cephalothin were given as systemic antibiotic prophylaxis. Postoperative sepsis occurred in 2/40 (5%) of those given cefoxitin compared to 9/37 (24.3%) of those given cephalothin. The reduction in the infection rate in the group treated by cefoxitin was statistically significant (p less than 0.02). Specific drug toxicity was not evidenced except for transient skin rashes in two patients of both groups. To determine the efficacy of selective decontamination of the digestive tract (SDD) in patients undergoing elective transplantation of the liver.
                Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
                Two academic teaching hospitals.
                Adult patients undergoing elective liver transplantation: 26 patients receiving SDD and 29 patients receiving a placebo.
                Patients undergoing SDD were administered 400 mg of norfloxacin once daily as soon as they were accepted for transplantation. Postoperative treatment for this group consisted of 2 mg of colistin, 1.8 mg of tobramycin, and 10 mg of amphotericin B, four times daily, combined with an oral paste containing a 2% solution of the same drugs until postoperative day 30. Prophylactic intravenous administration of antibiotics was not part of the SDD regimen in this study. Control patients were given a similar regimen with placebo drugs.
                The mean number of postoperative bacterial and fungal infections in the first 30 days after transplantation was the primary efficacy end point. Days on a ventilator, days spent in the intensive care unit, and medical costs were registered as secondary outcome variables.
                Of the 26 patients undergoing SDD, 22 (84.5%) developed an infection in the postoperative study period; in the placebo group (n = 29), these numbers were not significantly different (25 patients, 86%). The mean number of postoperative infectious episodes per patient was also not significantly different: 1.77 (SDD) vs. 1.93 (placebo). Infections involving Gram-negative aerobic bacteria and Candida species were significantly less frequent in patients receiving SDD (p <.001 and p <.05). Total costs were higher in the group receiving SDD.
                Selective decontamination of the digestive tract does not prevent infection in patients undergoing elective liver transplantation and increases the cost of their care. It does, however, affect the type of infection. Infections with Gram-negative bacilli and with Candida species are replaced by infections with Gram-positive cocci. Mechanical bowel preparation (MBP) is performed routinely before colorectal surgery to reduce the risk of postoperative infectious complications. The aim of this randomized clinical trial was to compare the outcome of patients who underwent elective left-sided colorectal surgery with or without MBP.
                Patients scheduled for elective left-sided colorectal resection with primary anastomosis were randomized to preoperative MBP (3 litres of polyethylene glycol) (group 1) or surgery without MBP (group 2). Postoperative abdominal infectious complications and extra-abdominal morbidity were recorded prospectively.
                One hundred and fifty-three patients were included in the study, 78 in group 1 and 75 in group 2. Demographic, clinical and treatment characteristics did not differ significantly between the two groups. The overall rate of abdominal infectious complications (anastomotic leak, intra-abdominal abscess, peritonitis and wound infection) was 22 per cent in group 1 and 8 per cent in group 2 (P = 0.028). Anastomotic leak occurred in five patients (6 per cent) in group 1 and one (1 per cent) in group 2 (P = 0.210) [corrected] Extra-abdominal morbidity rates were 24 and 11 per cent respectively (P = 0.034). Hospital stay was longer for patients who had MBP (mean(s.d.) 14.9(13.1) versus 9.9(3.8) days; P = 0.024).
                Elective left-sided colorectal surgery without MBP is safe and is associated with reduced postoperative morbidity. Pre-operative preparation of the colon is carried out with oral and/or intravenous administration of antibiotics and through the mechanical preparation of the colon using various substances to decrease the intraluminal bacterial concentration and remove the larger quantity of fecal material as possible, thus decreasing the risk of anastomosis dehiscence due to an increase in the intraluminal pressure. The role of antibiotics has been completely established while that of mechanical preparation is still questioned. The objective of this study is to assess the actual impact of mechanical preparation on colorectal surgery.
                Forty seven patients who underwent elective colorectal surgery were prospectively evaluated, out of which only 24 had mechanical preparation. We compared variables such as age, sex, preoperative hemoglobin, albumin and leukocyte values, surgery characteristics and type of anastomosis, as well as complications in both groups. Results: We found a higher incidence of fistulas, dehiscences and general complications in the group undergoing mechanical preparation of the colon.
                The results show that mechanical preparation of the colon does not provide any benefit and may result in a higher incidence of complications in colorectal surgery. The aim of this randomized double-blind study comparing the efficacy of two prophylactic regimens, metronidazole/placebo (n = 23) and metronidazole/fosfomycin (n = 26) was two-fold. First, to evaluate the need for anti-aerobic cover in addition to short-term systemic administration of metronidazole against anaerobes in colorectal surgery. Secondly, to explore the prophylactic effect of fosfomycin on aerobes of intestinal origin. An unacceptably high rate of surgical sepsis (16.3%) forced premature conclusion of the study after 49 patients had entered it. All surgical and remote infections occurred in the metronidazole/placebo group and were caused solely by aerobes. Anaerobic sepsis was not seen at all and the surgical infection rate was 34.8%. No septic complications occurred in the 26 patients (0%) receiving metronidazole/fosfomycin (p less than 0.01). Thus the study demonstrated both the need to administer an effective anti-aerobic agent in addition to metronidazole in colorectal surgery and the efficacy of fosfomycin in preventing aerobic sepsis of intestinal origin. Adverse reactions to the two drugs were not observed and resistance did not occur. Use of synbiotics has been reported to benefit human health, but clinical value in surgical patients remains unclear.
                To investigate the effect of perioperative oral administration of synbiotics upon intestinal barrier function, immune responses, systemic inflammatory responses, microflora, and surgical outcome in patients undergoing high-risk hepatobiliary resection.
                Patients with biliary cancer involving the hepatic hilus (n = 101) were randomized before hepatectomy, into a group receiving postoperative enteral feeding with synbiotics (group A); or another receiving preoperative plus postoperative synbiotics (group B). Lactulose-mannitol (L/M) ratio, serum diamine oxidase (DAO) activity, natural killer (NK) cell activity, interleukin-6 (IL-6), fecal microflora, and fecal organic acid concentrations were determined before and after hepatectomy. Postoperative infectious complications were recorded.
                Of 101 patients, 81 completed the trial. Preoperative and postoperative changes in L/M ratio and DAO activity were similar between groups. Preoperatively in group B, NK activity, and lymphocyte counts increased, while IL-6 decreased significantly (P < 0.05). Postoperative serum IL-6, white blood cell counts, and C-reactive protein in group B were significantly lower than in group A (P < 0.05). During the preoperative period, numbers of Bifidobacterium colonies cultured from and total organic acid concentrations measured in feces increased significantly in group B (P < 0.05). Postoperative concentrations of total organic acids and acetic acid in feces were significantly higher in group B than in group A (P < 0.05). Incidence of postoperative infectious complications was 30.0% (12 of 40) in group A and 12.1% (5 of 41) in group B (P < 0.05).
                Preoperative oral administration of synbiotics can enhance immune responses, attenuate systemic postoperative inflammatory responses, and improve intestinal microbial environment. These beneficial effects likely reduce postoperative infectious complications after hepatobiliary resection for biliary tract cancer. To estimate and compare the frequencies of inflammatory complications after third molar (M3) surgery in subjects receiving intravenous prophylactic antibiotics or saline placebo.
                Using a placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized clinical trial, the investigators enrolled a sample composed of subjects who required extraction of at least 1 impacted M3 and requested intravenous sedation or general anesthesia. The predictor variable was treatment group classified as active treatment (penicillin or clindamycin for penicillin-allergic subjects) or placebo (0.9% saline). Study medications were randomly assigned. Both surgeon and subject were blinded to treatment assignment. The medication was administered intravenously prior to any incision. The outcome variable was postoperative inflammatory complication classified as present or absent and included alveolar osteitis (AO) or surgical site infection (SSI). Other variables were demographic, anatomic, or operative. Descriptive and bivariate statistics were computed. Statistical significance was set at P < or = .05, single-tailed test of hypothesis.
                The sample was composed of 118 subjects (n = 59 per study group). In the active treatment group, there were no postoperative inflammatory complications. In the placebo group, 5 subjects (8.5%) were diagnosed with SSI, (P = .03). No subject met the case definition for AO. All SSIs were associated with the removal of partial bony or full bony impacted mandibular M3s.
                In the setting of third molar removal, these results suggest that the use of intravenous antibiotics administered prophylactically decrease the frequency of SSIs. The authors cannot comment on the efficacy of intravenous antibiotics in comparison to other antibacterial treatment regimens, eg chlorhexidine mouthrinse or intrasocket antibiotics. During the period May 1986 to July 1989, a prospective, double blind, randomized trial of antibiotic prophylaxis in colorectal surgery was undertaken at the Royal Brisbane Hospital. Three hundred and thirty patients were considered eligible for the trial. Three regimens were compared: a combination of 2 g ceftriaxone and 1 g metronidazole; a single dose of 2 g ceftriaxone; or 1 g cefazolin and 1 g metronidazole, as antibacterial prophylaxis in colorectal surgery. Fifty patients were excluded from analysis. The overall incidence of wound sepsis was 7.9% (22 patients). There was no statistical difference in the incidence of wound infections between the three groups. The presence of drains and the non-performance of a bowel anastomosis at the time of surgery predisposed patients to wound infection. Staphylococcus aureus or Staphylococcus epidermidis were the cause of wound infection in 16 cases. Patients in the cefazolin and metronidazole group had a significantly higher number of postoperative urinary tract and respiratory tract infections than the other two groups combined (P less than 0.01). There did not appear to be any change in sensitivity patterns to ceftriaxone during the 3 year trial. During the 3 year period of the study, ceftriaxone was found to be a safe and effective drug in antibacterial prophylaxis in colorectal surgery. A randomized control clinical study was conducted to compare the effectiveness of prophylactic ampicillin/sulbactam in preventing wound infection after elective colorectal surgery with a combination of gentamicin and metronidazole. Over a 2-year period, 143 patients were recruited, but 15 patients were subsequently excluded due to the use of additional antibiotics for the treatment of pulmonary or urinary infection or early postoperative death without wound infection. Of the 128 evaluable patients, six of the 63 patients (9.5%) in the ampicillin/sulbactam group and seven of the 65 patients (10.7%) in the gentamicin and metronidazole group developed wound infection. We conclude that prophylactic ampicillin/sulbactam is effective in reducing the risk of wound infection following colorectal surgery. This study compares the efficacy of cefotetan with the combination of cefuroxime plus metronidazole as antibiotic prophylaxis in elective colorectal surgery when given over the first 24 h postoperatively. There was no significant difference in wound infection rates between the two groups (14.7% for cefotetan and 13.9% for cefuroxime plus metronidazole), or the rates of other infective complications. Adverse reactions occurred with equal frequency in both treatment groups and no serious side effects occurred. Cefotetan is a safe and effective antibiotic for use as prophylaxis in elective colorectal surgery. Its advantages are that it is a single agent with a spectrum covering both aerobic Gram-negative rods and anaerobic organisms and, because of its long half-life, needs only to be given at 12-hourly intervals. In a randomized controlled trial of the use of a single intravenous dose of gentamicin sulfate and clindamycin phosphate used intraoperatively during emergency abdominal surgery, the overall incidence of postoperative wound infection was reduced from 32.3% to 10.4%. Significant reduction in wound infection occurred in the study group compared with control subjects irrespective of the underlying pathologic lesion. No side effects of the use of antibiotics were noted. The policy of antibiotic prophylaxis in emergency surgery seems to be of particular benefit in elderly patients. In a prospective randomized trial clinical results of one-shot-prophylaxis with Tinidazole (Group I, n = 50) versus 9 doses of Metronidazole (Group II, n = 50) as perioperative short-time-prophylaxis were compared. The rate of postoperative wound infections was not significantly different in the groups (p = 0,09). (1/50 in Group I = 2%, 5/50 in Group II = 10%). Postoperative complications clearly occurred less frequently in the first group than in the second one (12% versus 34%, p0,01). Our investigation indicates that prophylactic treatment with Tinidazole as a preoperative high and single dose is important for preventing postoperative infection in patients undergoing bowel surgery. The prophylactic effect of a short preoperative loading dose of oral neomycin and erythromycin upon infectious complications following elective operations upon the colon and rectum was compared with the prophylactic effect of systemic administration of metronidazole and gentamicin preoperatively and postoperatively. In this randomized prospective clinical study, 45 patients received neomycin-erythromycin while 48 received metronidazole-gentamicin; all patients were prepared mechanically using whole gut irrigation with a mannitol solution. Both groups were comparable in sex, age, clinical diagnosis and type of operation performed. In the neomycin-erythromycin group, 41 of 45 patients had an uncomplicated postoperative course versus 35 of 48 patients in the other group (p less than 0.001) and fewer wound infections (p less than 0.05). We conclude that the better results observed with the neomycin-erythromycin combination is probably an addition of two effects--the decrease in colon flora and the adequate serum levels of antibiotics during the operation. A prospective, randomized, double-blind and controlled clinical trial of systemic antibiotic prophylaxis with Cefazolin and Ornidazol (CO) versus Cefazolin and Placebo (CP) was carried out consecutively in 100 patients undergoing elective, colorectal surgery. The incidence of wound infection in the CP-group was 20% (n = 10) and in the CO-group 8% (n = 4) (p less than 0.10 ns). The reduction of anaerobic bacterias from 20% (n = 10) in the CP-group to 0% (n = 0) (CO) was significant (a1 = 0.0139; a2 = 0.0277 s, Fischer's exact test). The time of hospitalization was reduced from 20.3 days (CP) to 16.7 days (CO) (p less than 0.05 s). The agent for antibiotic prophylaxis in elective colorectal surgery is to cover the spectrum of anaerobic bacterias. A prospective, randomized, single-blind, controlled clinical trial was undertaken to determine whether two doses of systemic Timentin provided superior prophylaxis against postoperative sepsis in elective colorectal surgery compared with a single dose of the same antibiotic. Timentin, a combination of ticarcillin and clavulanic acid was administered intravenously (3.1 g) at the commencement of operation to all patients, and this was repeated after 2 hours in those patients randomized to receive a second dose. The wound infection rate was 11 percent in the 143 patients completing follow-up and receiving a single dose, and 13 percent in the 128 patients receiving two doses of Timentin (P greater than 0.05). The rates of postoperative septicemia 3 vs. 4 percent and intra-abdominal abscess 5 vs. 8 percent were similar. Multivariate analysis of the factors likely to affect postoperative would infection rate demonstrated an association with the type of hospital, public or private, wound infection rate 16 and 6 percent, respectively (P less than 0.01), and the surgeon group defined by the number of patients contributed greater than 25 or less than 25, wound infection rate 6 and 18 percent, respectively (P less than 0.05). We concluded that a single dose of intravenous Timentin was as effective as two doses for prophylaxis against surgical infection and that the surgeon group and the hospital in which the operation took place were statistically significant predictors of postoperative wound infection. Mechanical bowel preparation is common practice in elective colon surgery. In recent literature the value of this procedure is under discussion. To verify the value of mechanical bowel preparation in elective open colon surgery, a randomized clinical trial was conducted.
                During a prospective, multicenter, randomized study, 250 patients undergoing elective open colon surgery were randomized between receiving mechanical bowel preparation with polyethylene glycol (PEG group, 125 patients) and having a normal meal preoperatively (normal meal preoperatively group, 125 patients). Outcome parameters were wound infection with bacterial results of intraoperative swabs and anastomotic leak.
                In the polyethylene glycol group there were a total of nine wound infections (7.2 percent) and seven anastomotic leaks (5.6 percent) compared with seven wound infections (5.6 percent) (P = 0.61) and six anastomotic leaks (4.8 percent) (P = 0.78) in the normal meal preoperatively group. Bacterial results showed 52 percent sterile subcutis swabs in the PEG group and 63 percent sterile subcutis swabs in the normal meal preoperatively group (P = 0.11).
                In the present study we could not detect a difference in outcome parameters between patients receiving mechanical bowel preparation in elective open colon surgery and patients without preoperative treatment of the bowel. The present study, although underpowered, did not show a difference in the primary outcome of bacterial wound cultures between patients receiving preoperative mechanical bowel preparation and patients receiving no preoperative bowel treatment. We conclude that there may be no need to continue the use of mechanical bowel preparation in elective open colon surgery. At present the use of prophylactic antibiotics in elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy is controversial. This prospective study was carried out to define the role of prophylactic antibiotics in elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy to prevent postoperative infection. Ninety three patients were randomly placed in two groups. Group A comprised of 40 while group B consisted of 53 patients. Patients in Group A received 1.5 grams of second generation cephalosporin (cefuroxime sodium) diluted in 100ml of normal saline, at the time of induction of anesthesia. Group B patients received an equal volume of normal saline only. A sample of gall bladder bile was collected by direct gall bladder puncture intra-operatively for aerobic and anaerobic culture. Age, sex, weight of the patient, American Society of Anesthesiologists classification grade, presence of diabetes mellitus, episodes of colic 30 days preceding surgery, intra-operative gall bladder rupture, stone and / or bile spillage, results of bile culture, gall bladder histology, length of hospital stay, and number of septic complications were recorded and analyzed. In group A, one patient (2.5%) had post operative wound infection and in group B, two patients (3.8%) had post operative infection which was statistically similar (p>0.1). There was no difference between the two groups in terms of demographic, intra operative and post operative denominators. Therefore the study concluded that prophylactic antibiotics did not have a significant role to play in prevention of postoperative wound infection in elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Ninety-eight patients with suspected nonperforated acute appendicitis have to date been entered into a continuing, prospective, blinded randomized trial to determine the role of prophylactic metronidazole in postoperative wound infection. Twenty-six patients were excluded for the following reasons: diagnosis other than acute appendicitis (16), perforation of the appendix (8), administration of other antibiotics (1), and refusal to enter study (1). Seventy-two patients, 47 men and 25 women, with a mean age of 27.5 years (range 15 to 60 years), underwent appendectomy and were studied. Thirty patients received 1 gm intravenous metronidazole preoperatively and five intravenous doses of 500 mg metronidazole postoperatively. Forty-two patients received placebo only. Cultures of the appendiceal stump grew aerobic cultures in 45 (62%) and anaerobic organisms in 29 (40%): Escherichia coli and Bacteroides fragilis, respectively. Six of the 72 patients (8.2%) developed postoperative wound infections: four of 42 (9.5%) who received placebo and two of 30 (6.6%) who received metronidazole (P = 0.54 by Fisher exact test). No toxicity from metronidazole was observed. The postoperative wound infection rate is insufficient to demonstrate the efficacy of metronidazole for prophylaxis in nonperforated acute appendicitis, although there appears to be a tendency of to assume its efficacy in this regard. To compare three doses of cefotaxime alone with a single dose of cefotaxime and metronidazole for the prophylaxis of infection after elective colorectal operations.
                Prospective random control trial.
                Hillerød and Frederiksberg Hospitals, Copenhagen, Denmark.
                660 consecutive patients who were to undergo elective colorectal operations during a 48 month period (January 1987-January 1991); 93 (14%) were withdrawn after randomisation leaving 567 for assessment.
                Mechanical bowel preparation, and then either cefotaxime (Claforan) 2 g intravenously at induction of anaestesia and 3 and 9 hours later (n = 280) or a single dose of cefotaxime 2 g plus metronidazole (Flagyl) 1.5 g intravenously at induction of anaestesia (n = 287).
                44 patients in the cefotaxime group developed wound infection (16%) compared with 19 (7%) in the combined group (p < 0.001). In the cefotaxime group 22 of the 241 patients who had an anastomosis developed leaks (9%) compared with 8 of the 239 in the cefotaxime/metronidazole group (3%). There were no differences in the incidence of intra-abdominal abscesses or burst abdomens. The most common organisms isolated from wounds were Escherichia coli and Bacteriodes fragilis.
                One dose of cefotaxime and metronidazole is active against a wide range of organisms and resulted in significantly fewer wound infections than three doses of cefotaxime alone. The effect of 1-day mechanical bowel preparation with 10% mannitol combined with oral neomycin and short-term perioperative intravenous Flagyl (group I) was studied in a prospective, randomized, double-blind study and was compared with oral neomycin and an intravenous placebo (Group II). Thirty-one patients were evaluated in group I (Flagyl), and there was a 0% septic complication rate. Thirty-seven patients were in the neomycin placebo group (group II), which had a septic complication rate of 22%. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant. No complications were observed from either the 10% mannitol solution or the intravenous Flagyl at either clinical, hematologic, or biochemical assessment. The study indicates that 1-day mechanical bowel preparation with 10% mannitol combined with oral neomycin and short-term, perioperative, intravenous Flagyl is a safe, effective, and inexpensive method for significantly reducing the septic complications of elective colorectal surgical resections. In a prospective, randomized control trial, 152 consecutive patients requiring emergency or complicated colorectal surgery were allocated either to two doses of cefotetan or to five-day cover with gentamicin, and a single dose of metronidazole. Twenty-one patients received 6 gm of cefotetan before prolongation of prothrombin time dictated a change in the dose regimen such that all remaining patients (N = 55) received only 4 gm of cefotetan. The groups were well matched for diagnosis and surgical procedure. Rates of postoperative infection did not differ significantly between the groups, with wound infection rates occurring in 17 of 75 patients receiving gentamicin and metronidazole (22.7 percent) compared with ten of 75 receiving cefotetan (13 percent). Although wound infection rates were lower in the cefotetan group, the incidence of intra-abdominal abscess was similar in both groups. Eight patients receiving cefotetan developed intra-abdominal abscesses (11 percent), compared with seven receiving gentamicin and metronidazole (9 percent). Prolongation of prothrombin time in excess of 13 seconds occurred in six patients receiving cefotetan compared with no patients receiving gentamicin and metronidazole. None of these patients developed clinical bleeding, however. In a prospective randomized and controlled double-blind trial the effect of prophylactic systemic administration of Cefazolin in elective colorectal surgery on postoperative wound infection was investigated. The incidence of wound infection was significantly reduced (P less than 0.01) from 32% in the control group to 10% in the treated group. Furthermore there was a significant reduction (P less than 0.05) in hospital stay of about 3 days. To evaluate the feasibility, safety, and tolerance of early removing gastrointestinal decompression and early oral feeding in the patients undergoing surgery for colorectal carcinoma.
                Three hundred and sixteen patients submitted to operations associated with colorectostomy from January 2004 to September 2005 were randomized to two groups: In experimental group (n=161), the nasogastric tube was removed after the operation from 12 to 24 h and was promised immediately oral feeding; In control group (n=155), the nasogastric tube was maintained until the passage of flatus per rectum. Variables assessed included the time to first passage of flatus, the time to first passage of stool, the time elapsed postoperative stay, and postoperative complications such as anastomotic leakage, acute dilation of stomach, wound infection and dehiscense, fever, pulmonary infection and pharyngolaryngitis.
                The median and average days to the first passage of flatus (3.0+/-0.9 vs 3.6+/-1.2, P<0.001), the first passage of stool (4.1+/-1.1 vs 4.8+/-1.4, P<0.001) and the length of postoperative stay (8.4+/-3.4 vs 9.6+/-5.0, P<0.05) were shorter in the experimental group than in the control group. The postoperative complications such as anastomotic leakage (1.24% vs 2.58%), acute dilation of stomach (1.86% vs 0.06%) and wound complications (2.48% vs 1.94%) were similar in the groups, but fever (3.73% vs 9.68%, P<0.05), pulmonary infection (0.62% vs 4.52%, P<0.05) and pharyngolaryngitis (3.11% vs 23.23%, P<0.001) were much more in the control group than in the experimental group.
                The present study shows that application of gastrointestinal decompression after colorectostomy can not effectively reduce postoperative complications. On the contrary, it may increase the incidence rate of fever, pharyngolaryngitis and pulmonary infection. These strategies of early removing gastrointestinal decompression and early oral feeding in the patients undergoing colorectostomy are feasible and safe and associated with reduced postoperative discomfort and can accelerate the return of bowel function and improve rehabilitation. Antibiotic prophylaxis in elective colonic surgery is of established value and most authors have proposed an association of at least two drugs. We have compared the efficacy of classical prophylaxis (clindamycin and gentamicin, C + G) with that of the single drug cefoxitin (Ce). 101 consecutive patients were covered; 22 had to be excluded and 7 withdrawn after randomization; 72 cases were left for final analysis (C + G 35; Ce 37). Five C + G (14.2%) and 4 Ce cases (10.8%) developed septic complications, possibly caused by opening of the colon (wound infection, anastomotic failure, colocutaneous fistula): this difference is not statistically significant. Episodes of sepsis, urinary tract infection and pneumonia were similar in both groups. Although the number of patients included is relatively small, we conclude that prophylaxis with Ce alone appears to be as effective as double drug prophylaxis with C + G. To assess the impact of an automated intraoperative alert to redose prophylactic antibiotics in prolonged cardiac operations.
                Randomized, controlled, evaluator-blinded trial.
                University-affiliated hospital.
                Patients undergoing cardiac surgery that lasted more than 4 hours after the preoperative administration of cefazolin, unless they were receiving therapeutic antibiotics at the time of surgery.
                Randomization to an audible and visual reminder on the operating room computer console at 225 minutes after the administration of preoperative antibiotics (reminder group, n = 137) or control (n = 136). After another 30 minutes, the circulating nurse was required to indicate whether a follow-up dose of antibiotics had been administered.
                Intraoperative redosing was significantly more frequent in the reminder group (93 of 137; 68%) than in the control group (55 of 136; 40%) (adjusted odds ratio, 3.31; 95% confidence interval, 1.97 to 5.56; P < .0001). The impact of the reminder was even greater when compared with the 6 months preceding the study period (129 of 480; 27%; P < .001), suggesting some spillover effect on the control group. Redosing was formally declined for 19 of the 44 patients in the reminder group without redosing. The rate of surgical-site infection in the reminder group (5 of 137; 4%) was similar to that in the control group (8 of 136; 6%; P = .42), but significantly lower than that in the pre-study period (48 of 480; 10%; P = .02).
                The use of an automatic reminder system in the operating room improved compliance with guidelines on perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis. A prospective, randomized, clinical study was carried out in 188 patients undergoing appendicectomy or colorectal surgery to test the efficacy of prophylactic, parenterally-administered antibiotics in the prevention of infection. The results show the effectiveness of the association gentamicin-metronidazole (9.4% of infections), compared to the control group with no antibiotics (39.1% of infections), X2 = 14.1; P less than 0.001). Nonabsorbable antibiotics for selective bowel decontamination (SBD) sometimes are administered to liver transplant patients to prevent postoperative infections, but the efficacy of SBD is not known. Accordingly, we prospectively studied 69 patients randomly assigned to receive conventional prophylaxis with systemic antibiotics (control patients) or conventional prophylaxis plus oral nonabsorbable antibiotics for SBD (SBD patients). Overall rates of bacterial and/or yeast infections were nearly equal among control patients (42%) and SBD patients (39%). However, the infection rate at SBD key sites (abdomen, bloodstream, surgical wound, and lungs) was lower among patients who received the SBD regimen > or = 3 days before transplantation (23%) than among control patients (36%). Administration of the SBD regimen was complicated by gastrointestinal intolerance and noncompliance but not by increased stool colonization with antibiotic-resistant gram-negative bacilli. Practical problems associated with administering an SBD regimen to patients awaiting cadaver liver transplants limit the regimen's usefulness, but we found a trend toward reduced key site infection when the regimen was given > or = 3 days before transplantation. In this prospective trial prevention of infectious complications after elective colonic surgery was studied. 34 patients receiving i.v. cefazolin were compared to 32 patients receiving oral metronidazol and i.v. cefazolin. No significant difference was observed concerning local wound infection, septicemia, anastomotic dehiscence or death. The rate of postoperative infection was 53% in group I, 34% in group II. No side effects of this prophylaxis were observed. Systemic antibiotics are administered frequently after hepatectomy to prevent infective complications, but their effectiveness is uncertain.
                A total of 127 patients with liver tumours were prospectively randomized into two groups after hepatectomy: in group 1 (62 patients) no antibiotics were given until the appearance of infective complications; in group 2 (65 patients) intravenous cephazolin 1 g every 6 h and gentamicin 80 mg every 8 h were given for 7 days. On the day before surgery all patients received bowel preparation by clear liquid diet and oral antibiotics (neomycin 1 g and erythromycin 1 g, given together in three doses).
                The infective complication rate was 23 per cent in both groups (P = 0.95). The hospital costs were higher in group 2 (P < 0.001). Of the group 1 patients, 51 (82 per cent) did not require antibiotic treatment. No patient in either group died after hepatectomy.
                Postoperative systemic antibiotics cannot prevent infective complications, and their routine use after hepatectomy is unnecessary and costly. The use of antibiotics should be delayed until infective complications and persistent septic symptoms occur. In the course of two consecutive, double-blind and prospective studies, the authors evaluated the prophylactic effect of a single peroperative intravenous dose of gentamicin (this study included 166 patients) or the combination gentamicin and clindamycin (this study included 127 patients), on the wound infection rate following interventions involving the incision of an abdominal hollow viscus. Antibiotic prophylaxis lowered the post-operative wound sepsis rate, especially following clinically contaminated interventions, but this reduction did not reach statistical significance. It is concluded that a single peroperative parenteral dose of antibiotics does not constitute an entirely satisfactory means of wound infection prophylaxis in digestive surgery. When a peritoneal dialysis catheter is inserted intra-abdominally in a patient starting peritoneal dialysis (PD) there is always a risk for postoperative wound infection and peritonitis. At our centre, PD is started immediately after the dialysis catheter is inserted. This may increase the postoperative risk for peritonitis and wound infection. The aim of this prospective, randomized, study was to evaluate whether the incidence of microbial growth postoperatively (within 10 days) after catheter insertion could be reduced by prophylactic antibiotic therapy.
                During a period of 27 months, 38 patients, who consecutively entered the PD programme, (11 women and 27 men, mean age 57 years) were included in the study. Eighteen patients were given cefuroxime 1.5 g i.v. preoperatively and 250 mg i.p. in the first dialysis bag (containing 1 litre fluid) as prophylaxis. Twenty patients were not given prophylactic antibiotics (control group). All catheter insertions were performed in an operating theatre by the same surgeons using the same technique.
                In the test group, none of the patients showed microbial growth in the dialysis fluid during the post-operative period, while in the control group six of 20 patients (30%) suffered from such growth (P = 0.021).
                Prophylactic treatment by cefuroxime i.v. pre- and i.p. perioperatively may reduce the risk for microbial growth and peritonitis after insertion of a Tenckhoff catheter. To find out if fosfomycin together with metronidazole was any better than doxycycline with metronidazole for the prophylaxis of infection before elective colorectal operations.
                Multicentre, double blind, random control trial.
                Nine Swedish hospitals. SUBJECTS-559 patients admitted for elective colorectal operations.
                Fosfomycin 8 g and metronidazole 1 g before operation and fosfomycin 8 g eight hours afterwards, or doxycycline 400 mg and metronidazole 1 g before operation, and placebo eight hours afterwards.
                Incidence of all types of infection, mortality, and side effects.
                There were no significant differences between the groups for any of the outcome measures studied, the overall abdominal infection rates (wound, deep, and septicaemia) being 4.6% and 7.4%, and the remote infection rates (pneumonia, urinary tract, and central venous line) 15.1% and 12.8%, respectively. Of the predictors studied, only duration of operation was significantly related to risk of infection.
                The combination of fosfomycin and metronidazole was as safe and effective as that of doxycycline and metronidazole in preventing infections after elective colorectal operations. We have conducted a multicentre randomized study to compare piperacillin with the combination of netilmicin and metronidazole in patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery. There was no significant difference in the incidence of operation-related infection, chest or urinary tract infection. Major life-threatening sepsis occurred in 6% and the overall incidence of operation-related infection was 24%. Organisms which normally inhabit the bowel lumen were cultured from most of the postoperative infections; however, Staphylococcus aureus was isolated as a causative organism in nine patients in the piperacillin group compared with none in the netilmicin and metronidazole group. We are concerned at the high incidence of infection in both groups, and we believe that other factors in addition to prophylactic antibiotics need to be evaluated if the incidence of infection is to be reduced further. To assess whether elective colon and rectal surgery can be safely performed without preoperative mechanical bowel preparation.
                Mechanical bowel preparation is routinely done before colon and rectal surgery, aimed at reducing the risk of postoperative infectious complications. However, in cases of penetrating colon trauma, primary colonic anastomosis has proven to be safe even though the bowel is not prepared.
                Patients undergoing elective colon and rectal resections with primary anastomosis were prospectively randomized into two groups. Group A had mechanical bowel preparation with polyethylene glycol before surgery, and group B had their surgery without preoperative mechanical bowel preparation. Patients were followed up for 30 days for wound, anastomotic, and intra-abdominal infectious complications.
                Three hundred eighty patients were included in the study, 187 in group A and 193 in group B. Demographic characteristics, indications for surgery, and type of surgical procedure did not significantly differ between the two groups. Colo-colonic or colorectal anastomosis was performed in 63% of the patients in group A and 66% in group B. There was no difference in the rate of surgical infectious complications between the two groups. The overall infectious complications rate was 10.2% in group A and 8.8% in group B. Wound infection, anastomotic leak, and intra-abdominal abscess occurred in 6.4%, 3.7%, and 1.1% versus 5.7%, 2.1%, and 1%, respectively.
                These results suggest that elective colon and rectal surgery may be safely performed without mechanical preparation. The aim of this study was to compare the prophylactic effects of netilmicin plus metronidazole administered for one day and of doxycycline administered for five days on the incidence of postoperative sepsis in patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery. One hundred patients were studied, 50 men and 50 women, with a mean age of 66.6 years. The patients were randomized into the two groups. Wound infections occurred in a total of 9 patients, 5 in the doxycycline group and 4 in the group given netilmicin plus metronidazole, i.e. the overall infection rate was 9%. It is concluded that there is no statistically significant difference on the incidence of postoperative wound sepsis in patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery between the group given doxycycline for five days and the group given netilmicin plus metronidazole for one day. In a controlled, randomized study the effect of penicillin and streptomycin on postoperative septic complications in colorectal surgery (penicillin, 2 ml, IU, intramuscularly, three times daily for a period of six days and concomitantly streptomycin, 0.5 gm, intramuscularly, two times daily for a period of four days) was compared with the effect of cefotaxime, 2 gm, intravenously, three times on the day of surgery. One hundred patients completed the study: 48 were treated with penicillin and streptomycin (Group 1) and 52 with cefotaxime (Group 2). Wound infection occurred in one patient (2.1 percent) in Group 1, but not in Group 2 (0%, N.S.). Rupture of the wound occurred in one patient in each group (2.1 percent vs. 1.9 percent, N.S.). Insufficiency of the anastomosis occurred in four patients in Group 1 (8.3 percent) and in one patient in Group 2 (1.9 percent). It is concluded that short-term prophylaxis with cefotaxime is as effective as long-term prophylaxis with penicillin and streptomycin. The efficacy of cefoxitin or doxycycline as antibiotic prophylaxis in colorectal surgery was compared in 102 elective operations. Both drugs were used perioperatively only. Cefoxitin was used in 55 cases and doxycycline in 47. Ten patients in the cefoxitin group and 4 in doxycycline group had wound infections. Three intraabdominal abscesses were seen, one after cefoxitin and two after doxycycline prophylaxis. All three were due to anastomotic leakage. Bacteriologic studies revealed no negative ecologic effects of prophylaxis. The short-term prophylaxis used did protect against serious infectious complications. The extended spectrum of cefoxitin provided no added benefit in prophylaxis. Patients with inflammatory bowel disease treated preoperatively with salicylazosulfapyridine run a greater risk of postoperative infection in spite of the prophylaxis. Two antibiotic regimens for the prophylaxis of infection after colorectal operations were compared in a prospective, double blind, randomised controlled trial in 244 patients. Ninety-five patients (39%) were either excluded before randomisation or withdrawn, leaving 149 for analysis. Group 1 (n = 72) received a single infusion of 8 g fosfomycin and 1 g metronidazole at the induction of anaesthesia. Group 2 (n = 77) received bacitracin 250 mg plus neomycin 250 mg (as four tablets on three occasions over two days), metronidazole 500 mg tablets three times a day for one day, and ampicillin 1 g intravenously at induction of anaesthesia. Nine patients in group 1 (13%), 95% confidence interval (CI) 6.9 to 22.4, developed infective complications, compared with 8 in group 2 (10%), 95% CI 4.6 to 19.4. The overall infection rate was 17 of 149 evaluable patients (11%), 95% CI 6.8 to 17.7. Seven patients died (five in group 1 and 2 in group 2), two of whom (one in each group) died as a direct result of infective complications. Long operations and obesity were the most important risk factors, and may indicate a need for longer prophylaxis. Fosfomycin, which is mainly active against aerobic bacteria, was both safe and useful when combined with metronidazole. Single-dose doxycycline was compared with single-dose doxycycline + tinidazole in regard to prevention of septic complications after colorectal surgery, taking into account the type and level of surgery--right or left hemicolectomy, rectal operations and others. The study was performed as a prospective double-blind trial, with randomization in blocks. In colorectal surgery as a whole the combination was found to be more effective than doxycycline alone. When the four surgical blocks were separately considered, however, the difference between the two regimens was found to be mainly due to rectal operations, following which the incidence of abdominal and of perineal wound infections was significantly lower with the combined regimen than with doxycycline alone. The subgroups composed of right-sided or left-sided hemicolectomy or other operations were too small to permit definite conclusions. A prospective, randomized clinical trial was conducted in 103 patients undergoing cesarian section to assess the efficacy of prophylactic, intravenously administered Metronidazole on the infectious morbidity. A group of 53 patients with perioperative Metronidazol-prophylaxis was compared to a similar controll-group without prophylaxis. Bacteriologic swabs were taken from the cervix pre- and postoperatively, using anaerobic transport media. Prophylactic Metronidazole reduced postoperative fever of more than 38 degrees C on two subsequent days from 60% in the controll-group to 30,2% in the Metronidazole-group (p less than 0,01) wound infections were reduced from 18% without to 5,7% with prophylaxis (p less than 0,05) and Endometritis from 30% without to 13,2% with prophylaxis (p less than 0,05). An additional antibiotic therapy was necessary in 44% of the cases in the controllgroup, compared to 24,5% of the cases in the Metronidazolegroup (p less than 0,05). The mean duration of hospitalisation was reduced from 12,1 +/- 3,2 days in the controll-group to 11,2 +/- 2,1 in the Metronidazole-group (p less than 0,01). Anaerobic bacteria were isolated from the servical swabs in 60% preoperatively, with a still increasing incidence to 72% postoperatively, compared to 7% in the Metronidazole-group. Our results suggest, that prophylactic, intravenously administered Metronidazol reduces the infectious morbidity following cesarian section due to the reduction of the anaerobic flora at the female genital-tract. Between August 1988 and September 1989, 100 consecutive patients who underwent elective abdominal colorectal surgical procedures were prospectively randomized to receive or not to receive metoclopramide. Metoclopramide was intravenously administered every 8 hours from the completion of surgery until a solid food diet was able to be tolerated. Seven patients were not included in the final tabulations because of one death, one small bowel obstruction requiring laparotomy, one anastomotic leak requiring laparotomy, and four protocol violations. Ninety-three patients, 37 men and 56 women (mean age, 59.5; range, 14-89 years) underwent 40 segmental colectomies, 13 total abdominal colectomies, 8 abdominoperineal resections, 8 ileoanal pouch procedures, 7 small bowel resections, and 17 other colorectal procedures. The 40 patients who received postoperative metoclopramide were in Group 1, and the 53 who did not were in Group 2. The mean length of time between laparotomy and commencement of oral fluid and oral solid intake in Groups 1 and 2 were 3.5 and 4.8 days, and 3.5 and 5.0 days, respectively. These differences were not statistically significant (P greater than 0.05). Prolonged ileus was seen in seven patients in Group 1 and in eight patients in Group 2. These differences were also not statistically significant (P greater than 0.05). Prolonged ileus was defined as the need for nasogastric tube reinsertion or discontinuation of oral intake. We conclude that metoclopramide does not significantly alter the course of postoperative ileus. We report an interim analysis of a prospective single-blinded randomized trial designed to investigate whether preoperative mechanical bowel preparation influences the rate of surgical-site infection and anastomotic failure after elective colorectal surgery with primary intraperitoneal anastomosis performed by a single surgeon. Patients scheduled to undergo an elective colorectal procedure with a primary intraperitoneal anastomosis were randomized to receive either oral polyethylene glycol lavage solution and enemas (group A) or no preparation (group B). Surgical-site infection and anastomotic failure were investigated. Of 97 patients included, 48 were assigned to group A and 49 to group B. Twelve (12.4%) developed wound infections, six in each group (12.5 vs. 12.2%; NS). Intra-abdominal sepsis was only seen in group A (n = 3, 6.3%). Anastomotic failure occurred in four patients in group A (8.3%) vs. two patients in group B (4.1%) (NS). The overall complication rate in group A was 27.1%, vs. 16.3% in group B. The number needed to harm was 9.3. Our interim analysis of a prospective single-blinded randomized trial suggests that a surgeon may have the same or even worse outcomes when mechanical bowel preparation is routinely used for colorectal surgery with primary intraperitoneal anastomosis. The efficacy of a narrow-spectrum (benzyl penicillin) versus broad-spectrum (clindamycin + gentamicin) preoperative antimicrobial prophylaxis was studied in a series of 147 consecutive patients undergoing Caesarean section at the State Maternity Hospital, Helsinki, Finland. Both regimens proved effective in reducing postoperative endometritis: from 33% (19/57 cases) to 6.5% (3/46 cases) in the penicillin treated group, and to 9.5% (4/42 cases) in the clindamycin + gentamicin treated group. The reduction in the incidence of endometritis was not reflected in the duration of hospital stay, which was 7.7 days in the untreated group, 7.8 days in the penicillin treated group, and 7.6 days in the clindamycin + gentamicin treated group. No significant differences between the groups were detected in the incidence of wound infections. Surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis was performed with a controlled study on 859 evaluable patients randomized into two groups treated with chemoprophylaxis only or chemo- and immunoprophylaxis in colorectal surgery. Immuno and chemoprophylactic treatment (425 patients) consisted of 70 mg i.m. thymostimulin per day for 7 days beginning 48 h before surgery plus 2 g cefotetan at the moment of induction of anesthesia; the other group (434 patients) received only the single dose of antibiotic. Results in the two different groups were significantly different regarding abdominal abscess and the total infectious episodes in the surgical site with lower frequency in patients receiving both thymostimulin and the antibiotic (cefotetan). Moreover the respiratory tract infections were more than double in those patients not treated with perioperative immunotherapy. Stratifying patients on the basis of grade of skin test reaction, we observed a significantly lower percentage of surgical site infection in hypoergic patients receiving chemo- and immunoprophylaxis. To investigate the effectiveness of a single-dose antibiotic regimen for preventing postoperative wound infection, a prospective, randomized double-blind trial was carried out in patients undergoing "clean-contaminated", "contaminated" or "clean" (vascular) surgery. Both elective and emergency operations were included. Single-dose (preoperative) prophylaxis was compared with short-term prophylaxis (1 dose preoperatively and 2 doses postoperatively). The antibiotics were penicillin, tobramycin and metronidazole in various combinations, and comparisons between single-dose and short-term prophylaxis were made with all the regimens. The incidence of wound infection was 5/277 (1.8%) in the short-term group and 9/287 (3.1%) in the single-dose group. The difference was not statistically significant. Nor was statistically significant difference found when the type of operation and the degree of contamination were considered. Single-dose antibiotic prophylaxis thus gave a low incidence of postoperative wound infection, even in "clean-contaminated" or "contaminated" cases. In a prospective, randomized trial, prophylactic use of topical antibiotics in addition to systemic prophylaxis was studied in patients undergoing abdominoperineal amputation of the rectum. All patients received gentamicin 80 mg and metronidazole 500 mg intravenously at induction of anesthesia, followed by the same dose 8 hourly for 48 hours. In accordance with the randomization, half of the patients were additionally given gentamicin 160 mg + metronidazole 400 mg topically into the perineal wound at closure. Perineal wound infection appeared in 19 of the 41 patients who received both systemic and topical prophylaxis, and in 18 of the 38 with only systemic antibiotics. Cell-mediated immunity was preoperatively assessed with a skin test (Multitest) in all but three patients. Impairment of cell-mediated immunity was associated with significantly heightened rate of wound infection, and these patients did not benefit from topical antibiotics. Aztreonam/metronidazole and cefotaxime/metronidazole were compared in a prospective trial in 154 patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery. Three antibiotic doses were given over 16 hours. A significant excess of wound sepsis in the aztreonam group was seen (23/71 vs 9/70 chi 2 6.60; P less than 0.01). Sepsis was almost invariably due to Gram-positive organisms and, in particular, Staphylococcus aureus. A controlled study of short-term prophylaxis with cefuroxime was performed on a group of 52 patients with colorectal neoplasms who underwent elective surgery. The patients were divided into two groups, A and B. Group A received the antibiotic immediately before surgery, intraincisionally and immediately after the end of operation; group B was treated only postoperatively. Each patient received a total of 5,250 mg of cefuroxime. Wound sepsis was demonstrated in 11.5% of cases of group A and 23.0% of group B (P less than 0.01); another type of sepsis was observed in 34% of group A and 11.5% of group B (P less than 0.001). There was no difference in the operative mortality in the two groups. Alatrofloxacin, the prodrug of trovafloxacin, is a novel fluoroquinolone antimicrobial agent with a broad spectrum, including activity against gram-positive and gram-negative aerobes and anaerobes. Its pharmacokinetic properties (long half-life, excellent tissue distribution, and good safety profile) suggest a role in surgical prophylaxis. This prospective, multicenter, double-blind trial compared alatrofloxacin with cefotetan, an approved drug for surgical prophylaxis, in reducing postoperative infections.
                The efficacy and safety of a single 200-mg intravenous dose of alatrofloxacin were compared to a single 2-g intravenous dose of cefotetan in 492 patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery. The efficacy of alatrofloxacin as a prophylaxis for wound, intra-abdominal, or remote-site postoperative infectious complications was compared with cefotetan in 317 clinically evaluable patients; 161 received alatrofloxacin and 156 received cefotetan. The patients were monitored for infections and safety for 30 days postoperatively.
                No statistically significant between-treatment difference was detected in successful clinical response rates at the end of the study (72% for each group). The incidence of primary wound infections at the time of hospital discharge was also similar: 21% in patients treated with alatrofloxacin and 18% in those treated with cefotetan. Safety, established by the incidence of adverse events, did not differ statistically between the groups.
                A single intravenous dose of alatrofloxacin given within 4 hours prior to surgery was as effective as an intravenous dose of cefotetan in the prevention of postoperative infectious complications in patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery. The safety profiles of the two medications were similar. To investigate if oral, nonabsorbable antibiotics prevent bacterial infections in cirrhotics with gastrointestinal hemorrhage, 140 consecutive patients were randomly allocated into two groups: 68 patients (Group I) were given oral, non absorbable antibiotics (gentamicin + vancomycin + nystatin or neomycin + colistin + nystatin) from the inclusion into the trial up to 48 hr after cessation of the hemorrhage, or until emergency surgery or death in those cases who continued bleeding; and 72 patients (Group II) did not receive oral, nonabsorbable antibiotics. Both groups were similar in relation to clinical and laboratory data and characteristics of the hemorrhage. The incidence of infection was significantly lower in Group I than in Group II (11 patients in Group I and 25 in Group II developed proved infections; p less than 0.025). This difference was due to the fact that spontaneous bacteremia and peritonitis and urinary tract infection caused by enteric bacteria occurred almost exclusively in Group II. Two patients of Group I and 10 of Group II developed spontaneous bacteremia and/or peritonitis caused by enteric bacteria (p less than 0.025). These results indicate that prophylactic administration of oral, nonabsorbable antibiotics markedly reduces the incidence of infections caused by enteric bacteria in cirrhotic patients with gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Bacteriologic evidence suggests that Latamoxef (moxalactam) is effective against colonic bacteria which cause infection during colonic and rectal operations. In a prospective comparative study, 86 patients undergoing colorectal operations were randomized to receive intravenously 24 hour antibiotic cover with either gentamicin and metronidazole or moxalactam. Six patients (13 per cent) in the gentamicin and metronidazole group and five (12 per cent) in the moxalactam group had wound sepsis develop. Perineal wound sepsis (31 per cent) was significantly more common than abdominal wound sepsis (7 per cent). No complications were noted from the use of moxalactam. No clinical evidence of abnormal bleeding was seen and the results of studies on coagulation and platelet function postoperatively were normal. The results suggest that moxalactam provides effective, safe prophylaxis comparable with established antibiotic combinations in patients undergoing colorectal operations. One hundred and two patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery were randomized in a prospective but "non-blind" way into two groups. The first group received 0.4 g of doxycycline preoperatively and the second group 0.2 g of doxycycline preoperatively and 0.1 g of doxycycline on the first, second and third postoperative day. All doxycycline was administered by intravenous infusion. The infection rate was 10% in the "one-dose" treatment group and 10% in the "four-dose" treatment group. It is thus concluded that 0.4 g of doxycycline preoperatively results in an acceptable rate of postoperative infections, which may be explained by the satisfactory concentration of doxycycline up till three days after administration. The advantage of "one-dose" treatment compared to "four-dose" treatment from practical and economical standpoints are obvious. Intraoperative fluid therapy regimens using oesophageal Doppler monitoring (ODM) to optimize stroke volume (SV) (goal-directed fluid therapy, GDT) have been associated with a reduction in length of stay (LOS) and complication rates after major surgery. We hypothesized that intraoperative GDT would reduce the time to surgical readiness for discharge (RfD) of patients having major elective colorectal surgery but that this effect might be less marked in aerobically fit patients.
                In this double-blinded controlled trial, 179 patients undergoing major open or laparoscopic colorectal surgery were characterized as aerobically 'fit' (n=123) or 'unfit' (n=56) on the basis of their performance during a cardiopulmonary exercise test. Within these fitness strata, patients were randomized to receive a standard fluid regimen with or without ODM-guided intraoperative GDT.
                GDT patients received an average of 1360 ml of additional intraoperative colloid. The mean cardiac index and SV at skin closure were significantly higher in the GDT group than in controls. Times to RfD and LOS were longer in GDT than control patients but did not reach statistical significance (median 6.8 vs 4.9 days, P=0.09, and median 8.8 vs 6.7 days, P=0.09, respectively). Fit GDT patients had an increased RfD (median 7.0 vs 4.7 days; P=0.01) and LOS (median 8.8 vs 6.0 days; P=0.01) compared with controls.
                Intraoperative SV optimization conferred no additional benefit over standard fluid therapy. In an aerobically fit subgroup of patients, GDT was associated with detrimental effects on the primary outcome.
                UK NIHR CRN 7285, ISRCTN 14680495. http://public.ukcrn.org.uk/Search/StudyDetail.aspx?StudyID=7285. A prospective randomized double-blind study comprising 118 patients was performed to evaluate the effects of doxycycline as a prophylactic antimicrobial in elective colonic surgery. Fifty-eight patients were treated and 60 were controls. 200 mg of active substance or placebo was given 4-6 hours before operation and 100 mg daily for the next five postoperative days. Levels of doxycycline in serum and tissues were determined and related to the MIC-values of the contaminants. A significantly lower incidence of abdominal wound sepsis, intra-abdominal complications and septicaemia was found in the doxycycline group (12.4%) compared to the controls (45%). The positive effects were most pronounced in the non-contaminated cases, and especially in the cases with negative wound culture at operation. In order to evaluate the effect of prophylaxis in clinical routine an open study comprising 182 patients was carried out. In the group of patients receiving adequate prophylaxis (159 patients) the abdominal wound sepsis rate was 8.1%. 11 other patients who had received doxycycline preoperatively for some time because of intra-abdominal infection developed wound sepsis in 63.4%. In 12 patients where incomplete or no prophylaxis was given, the wound sepsis rate was 33.2%. The frequency of abdominal septic complications did not differ between non-contaminated, 10.9%, and contaminated operations, 13.8%, partly because of the topical application of ampicillin in some of the patients belonging to the latter category. Preoperative treatment with doxycycline because of some intra-abdominal was evidently the single risk factor associated with a high septic complication rate. No adverse ecological effects were seen during the 19 months study. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of antibiotic prophylaxis on the development of infectious complications in laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
                A total of 208 patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomized, double-blinded into one of two treatment arms: 1) cefazolin 1 g intravenously after induction of anesthesia and 2) no prophylactic antibiotics. The patients were followed-up for infectious complications for 30 days at the out-patient clinic. The data collected included age, sex, body mass index, ultrasonography findings, accompanying diseases, perforation during surgery, stone spillage, operation time, port of gallbladder delivery, suture material used for skin closure, preoperative and length of postoperative hospitalization, bile culture, pathology of the gallbladder, serum biochemical findings including alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, gammaglutamyl transpeptidase, bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase and glucose.
                Overall rate of infection was 3.36%. Four out of 105 patients who received antibiotics and 3 out of 103 patients who did not receive antibiotics developed infection. The difference was not statistically significant. Obesity and closing the skin with nylon sutures were found to be associated with increased rate of infectious complications.
                Cefazolin prophylaxis in low risk patients has no effect on postoperative infection rate in laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Past trials have shown perioperative immunonutrition to improve the outcome for patients with gastric cancer. The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of preoperative oral immunonutrition on cellular immunity, the duration of the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), and detailed postoperative complications in patients with gastric cancer.
                Sixty patients with gastric cancer were randomly assigned to two groups: one group received immune-enhanced formulas supplemented with arginine and omega-3 fatty acids (immune-enhancing diet (ID) group, n = 30); the other received standard formulas (conventional diet (CD) group, n = 30) for 7 days before the operation. These groups were well matched in terms of age, sex, operations, cancer stages, and intraoperative variables. The postoperative outcome was evaluated based on clinical variables, including postoperative infectious complications, noninfectious complications, and SIRS duration. In addition, the perioperative state of cellular immunity was evaluated and compared between the two groups.
                The incidence of postoperative infectious complications in the ID group (6%) was significantly (p < 0.05) lower than that of the CD group (28%). The duration of SIRS in the ID group (0.77 +/- 0.9 days) was significantly (p < 0.05) shorter than that in the CD group (1.34 +/- 1.45 days). The postoperative lymphocyte and CD4(+)T-cell counts significantly decreased (p < 0.05) in both groups. However, the number of CD4(+)T-cells on preoperative day 1 and postoperative day 7 was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the ID group than in the CD group.
                Preoperative oral immune-enhanced formulas supplemented with arginine and omega-3 fatty acids enhanced the immune status of the patients, reduced the duration of SIRS, and decreased the incidence of postoperative infectious complications. CD4(+)T-cell immunity likely played an important role in the modulation of the postoperative immune and inflammatory response after gastrectomy. Infections are a frequent complication in cirrhotics, and gastrointestinal bleeding may increase the infection rate. Nonabsorbable antibiotics or quinolone have been employed to decrease the incidence of infection. Since most of these studies were performed in western countries, it is still unclear whether this holds true in our Taiwan cirrhotic patients. Thus we conducted this study using a different formula of antibiotics to evaluate the efficacy of reducing infection rates in cirrhotics with upper gastrointestinal bleeding.
                From July 1999 to August 2000, all cirrhotic in-patients presenting with upper gastrointestinal bleeding but without infection were enrolled. The patients should not have received antibiotics within 2 weeks before admission and should have expected life expectance more than 7 days. Eligible patients who had received endoscopy within 12 hours of hospitalization were randomly allocated into 2 groups. Group A received intravenous cefazolin 1 gm every 8 hours started before endoscopy. After 3 days of prophylactic parenteral antibiotics, antibiotics were shifted to oral cephalexin of 500 mg every 6 hours for 4 days. Group B served as control subjects. All patients received chest X-ray, blood and urine cultures, and ascites culture and sputum culture if ascites and sputum were found. Patients were excluded when initial blood, urine or ascites culture was positive for bacterial growth.
                Ninety-seven patients were included. Group A was comprised of 47 patients and Group B comprised of 50 patients. There was no significant difference in age, sex, Child-Pugh's score or initial hemoglobin between the 2 groups. Proved infection developed in 6 patients of Group B. By contrast, no proved infection was found in Group A. Three organisms belonged to gram-negative bacilli and 3 organisms were gram-positive cocci. The incidence of proved infection during hospitalization was 0% in Group A and 12.0% in Group B (p = 0.027). If possible infection cases (patient's body temperature more than 38 degrees C for more than 2 days) were included, the infection rate was 6.4% in Group A and 26% in Group B (p = 0.013). Infection-related mortality occurred in 2 patients in Group B, but none in Group A.
                Our prophylactic antibiotic treatment proved safe and effective in reducing the infection rate in cirrhotics with upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Mechanical bowel preparation is routinely done before colon and rectal surgery, aimed at reducing the risk of postoperative infectious complications. The aim of the study was to assess whether elective colon and rectal surgery can be safely performed without preoperative mechanical bowel preparation.
                Patients undergoing elective colon and rectal resections with primary anastomosis were prospectively randomized into two groups. Group A had mechanical bowel preparation with polyethylene glycol before surgery, and group B had their surgery without preoperative mechanical bowel preparation. Patients were followed up for 30 days for wound, anastomotic, and intra-abdominal infectious complications.
                Two hundred forty four patients were included in the study, 120 in group A and 124 in group B. Demographic characteristics, type of surgical procedure and type of anastomosis did not significantly differ between the two groups. There was no difference in the rate of surgical infectious complications between the two groups but the overall infectious complications rate was 20.0% in group A and 11.3% in group B (p .05). Wound infection (p = 0.18), anastomotic leak (p = 0.52), and intra-abdominal abscess (p = 0.36) occurred in 9.2%, 5.8%, and 5.0% versus 4.8%, 4.0%, and 2.4%, respectively. No mechanical bowel preparation seems to be safe also in rectal surgery.
                These results suggest that elective colon and rectal surgery may be safely performed without mechanical preparation. 544 children operated upon for uncomplicated appendicitis were randomised into three groups. Group I received no antibiotics, patients in Group II were administered one single pre-operative dose of metronidazole (10 mg/kg) and patients in Group III received both both metronidazole (20 mg/kg) and cefuroxime (50 mg/kg) in a single preoperative dose. The rate of infectious complications in Group I was 6.3% but only 2.1 and 2.3 in Groups II and III, respectively. Among patients with a normal appendix or patients with simple appendicitis there was no difference in the rate of post-operative infections between the three different groups. However, in patients with gangrenous appendicitis the rate of postoperative infections was significantly lower in the two groups who received preoperative antibiotics (1.8% and 3.0% respectively) than in the group receiving no prophylactic antibiotics (infection rate 14%). It is concluded that a single preoperative dose of metronidazole significantly decreases the rate of postoperative infectious complications in children with appendicitis. No further improvement could be demonstrated if cefuroxime against aerobic organisms was added. In this study, 417 patients undergoing "clean" elective neurosurgical operative procedures were randomized to receive a broad-spectrum antibiotic (piperacillin) or placebo given as three perioperative doses, each 6 hours apart. Randomization was carried out by hospital pharmacists, and the investigators remained blinded until the end of the study. Twenty cases were excluded from analysis because either an unforeseen second operation was performed or antibiotic therapy was initiated within 30 days after surgery to treat infection or the risk of infection. Twelve of the 205 patients treated with placebo developed postoperative wound sepsis, and four of the 192 piperacillin-treated patients developed wound sepsis--a statistically significant difference (p less than 0.05, Fisher's exact test). Piperacillin thus appeared to reduce the incidence of neurosurgical wound infection in this study. In a double-blind randomized controlled study 232 patients undergoing elective lower segment caesarean section were randomly allocated to receive a pre-operative prophylactic dose of a combination of crystalline penicillin and chloramphenicol or a placebo. The two groups were comparable in terms of patient characteristics and operation variables. The group receiving antibiotics had significantly fewer febrile and infectious morbid events and thus spent fewer days in hospital than the group receiving the placebo. We assessed the efficacy of preoperative antibiotic prophylaxis in a prospective trial for patients undergoing insertion of Tenckhoff catheters for continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). The prophylactic regimen was a single dose of cefazolin (500 mg) and gentamicin (80 mg) given intravenously half an hour before surgery. There was no significant difference in the number of exit site infections (8 in the antibiotic group vs. 8 in the controls) and the number of episodes of peritonitis (5 in the antibiotic group vs. 2 in the controls). Our study showed that prophylactic preoperative antibiotics did not reduce the number of exit site infections and peritonitis after the insertion of Tenckhoff catheters. A randomized, double-blind comparative trial of cefoxitine and piperacillin was conducted in two groups of 30 patients with a similar number of the usual risk factors. Doses of cefoxitine 2 g and piperacillin 4 g were administered only once, except in some cases when the operation lasted more than 5 hours. Analysis of the results showed that the two antibiotics had equivalent prophylactic effectiveness (congruent to 6%) in colorectal surgery. Prophylactic antibiotic treatment in elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy does not lower the already low infection rate associated with this procedure.
                Prospective double-blind randomized trial at a community-based training hospital.
                Four hundred fifty patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomized into 1 of 3 treatment arms: (1) preoperative cefotetan disodium, 1g intravenously; (2) preoperative cefazolin, 1g intravenously; and (3) intravenous placebo. There were no demographic differences between groups in age, smoking history, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, infection risk class, time of antibiotic administration prior to surgery, and type of skin preparation.
                Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was attempted in all cases; however, 10 patients required conversion to an open cholecystectomy and they were included in the statistical analysis. Preoperatively, all patients were randomized in a blinded manner and received cefotetan, cefazolin, or placebo intravenously.
                There were 10 postoperative infections. In the cefotetan group, there were 3 cases of superficial surgical site infections. In the cefazolin group, there were 2 superficial surgical site infections-1 pneumonia and 1 rhinosinusitis. In the placebo group, there were 2 superficial surgical site infections and 1 urinary tract infection. The overall infection rate in this series was 2.4%. Follow-up was performed at routine postoperative visits and by telephone contact. Data were evaluated using the chi2 test and analysis of variance with Duncan post hoc test (P<.05).
                Based on our data, use of prophylactic antibiotics does not decrease the rate of wound infections in elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy. One hundred patients undergoing appendicectomy through a right iliac fossa incision were randomized to receive normal saline or 500 mg metronidazole as an intravenous infusion during the operation. One patient in the saline group developed an erythematous rash. There were 13 wound infections (as defined by the discharge of pus), 12 (out of 51) in the saline group and 1 (out of 49) in the metronidazole group. Bacteroides spp. were frequently cultured from the lumen of removed appendices and from pus obtained from infected wounds. This work supports the value of metronidazole but suggests that a single-dose regimen is adequate for prophylaxis. Postoperative oral nutritional supplementation has been shown to be of clinical benefit. This study examined the clinical effects and cost of administration of oral supplements both before and after surgery.
                This was a randomized clinical trial conducted in three centres. Patients undergoing lower gastrointestinal tract surgery were randomized to one of four groups: group CC received no nutritional supplements, group SS took supplements both before and after surgery, group CS received postoperative supplements only, and group SC were given supplements only before surgery. Preoperative supplements were given from the time it was decided to operate to 1 day before surgery. Postoperative supplements were started when the patient was able to take free fluids and continued for 4 weeks after discharge from hospital. Data collected included weight change, complications, length of stay, nutritional intake, anthropometrics, quality of life and detailed costings covering all aspects of care.
                Some 179 patients were randomized, of whom 27 were withdrawn and 152 analysed (CC 44, SS 32, CS 35, SC 41). Dietary intake was similar in all four groups throughout the study. Mean energy intake from preoperative supplements was 536 and 542 kcal/day in the SS and SC groups respectively; that 2 weeks after discharge from hospital was 274 and 361 kcal/day in the SS and CS groups respectively. There was significantly less postoperative weight loss in the SS group than in the CC and CS groups (P < 0.050), and significantly fewer minor complications in the SS and CS groups than the CC group (P < 0.050). There were no differences in the rate of major complications, anthropometrics and quality of life. Mean overall costs were greatest in the CC group, although differences between groups were not significant.
                Perioperative oral nutritional supplementation started before hospital admission for lower gastrointestinal tract surgery significantly diminished the degree of weight loss and incidence of minor complications, and was cost-effective.
                Copyright 2004 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Previous analyses of non-prospectively randomized trials have suggested that early oral postoperative feeding might be a benefit unique to laparoscopic surgery. However, some authors have indicated that early feeding can be tolerated by the majority of patients after elective open surgery.
                This prospective randomized study was undertaken to assess whether the time prior to oral intake of food after laparoscopy-assisted surgery is shorter than that after standard laparotomy.
                This trial included 40 patients who were divided randomly into two groups before operation. Group I included 20 patients (mean age, 52 years; range, 15-77 years) who underwent a laparoscopy-assisted colon or rectal procedure (LAP). Group II consisted of 20 patients (mean age, 56 years, range, 41-74 years) who underwent surgery with a standard midline incision (SMI). On the evening after surgery, patients were allowed clear liquids ab libitum. This regimen was continued until the first postoperative day at which time they could elect to start eating a regular diet. If a patient had two episodes of vomiting, a nasogastric tube was inserted.
                Five laparoscopic procedures were converted to SMI because of adhesions (25%) and an equal number of patients was excluded from the group that was treated in the traditional manner. Therefore, only 30 patients were included in the analysis. There were no deaths in this trial. Complications appeared in four of the patients in the LAP group and in two of the patients in the SMI group (no significant difference). There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms of the ability to tolerate the early oral intake of food, in the frequency of vomiting or in the incidence of insertion of a nasogastric tube. The time to the first bowel movement was 5.4 days in LAP and 5.5 days in SMI, and the difference was not significant.
                This study invalidates the claim by laparoscopic surgeons that earlier oral intake of food is tolerated by their patients than by patients who undergo standard procedures. Povidone-iodine (PI) is a scarce and expensive item for some hospitals in developing countries. This prospective, randomized study was performed at Baptist Medical Centre (BMCO) in Ogbomoso, Nigeria to determine if the use of PI for preoperative skin preparation would result in a lower postoperative wound infection rate and to identify other factors influencing the infection rate. Two hundred patients undergoing inguinal hernia repair were randomized to receive skin preparation with either: (1) locally available, inexpensive market soap and methylated spirit or (2) imported PI. The two groups were equally stratified. The overall postoperative wound infection rate was 5.5%, and there was no significant difference between the groups (5.1% vs. 5.9%). Factors that did not affect the infection rate included gender, age, type of anesthesia, type or duration of the operative procedure, and number of breaks in optimal technique. There were eight abscesses and three cases of cellulitis without suppuration diagnosed an average of 10 days postoperatively. Staphylococcus was the only bacterium identified on Gram stain or culture. The expense of procuring PI is not justified at BMCO. Available funds may better be used for preoperative antibiotics or for improvement in hospital infrastructure, which should result in fewer breaks in optimal operating room technique. A double-blind, controlled trial was performed to assess the effect of a short intraoperative course of Cefoxitin, a new broad spectrum cephamycin antibiotic, on the incidence of septic complications following elective colonic and rectal surgery. In addition to a two-day preoperative bowel preparation, patients entered in the study received a short course of either Cefoxitin (three 2g intravenous bolus doses at two-hour intervals, the first before skin incision) or a matching placebo. Thirty-two patients received Cefoxitin and 33 patients received the placebo. Postoperative abdominal wound infections developed in one (3%) of the Cefoxitin-treated patients and nine (27%) of the placebo-treated patients. This difference is statistically significant (p = 0.01). Septic complications remote from the abdominal wound, e.g. intra-abdominal abscesses, occurred in both Cefoxitin-treated and placebo-treated patients, but numbers were too small for meaningful analysis. The study shows that even a very short peroperative course of Cefoxitin is highly effective in reducing postoperative abdominal wound infections after elective colorectal surgery. A prospective, randomized, single-blind, controlled clinical trial was undertaken to compare two different prophylactic antibiotic regimens in patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery. Systemic Timentin, a combination of ticarcillin and the beta-lactamase inhibitor clavulanic acid, was assigned to 101 patients. Oral tinidazole, an agent active only against anaerobic bacteria, was assigned to 102 patients. The wound infection rate was 2.4 percent in the patients receiving Timentin and 14 percent in those receiving tinidazole (P = 0.01). Multivariate analysis of factors affecting the wound infection rate showed that the only factor that independently reached statistical significance was the prophylactic antibiotic used. The mortality of patients receiving Timentin prophylaxis was 3.4 percent compared with 8.9 percent of those receiving tinidazole (P = 0.15). The clinical anastomotic leakage rate was 1.3 percent in patients receiving Timentin and 13 percent in those receiving tinidazole (P = 0.01). These results, together with those of two previously published clinical trials by this group, indicate that antibiotic prophylaxis in elective colorectal surgery should consist of a short course of an agent effective against both aerobic and anaerobic bowel flora. A prospective, randomized, single-blind, controlled clinical trial was undertaken to compare two different prophylactic antibiotic single-dose regimens in patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery. Timentin, a combination of ticarcillin and clavulanic acid, was administered intravenously (3.1 g) to 87 patients. Mezlocillin, a semisynthetic penicillin was given intravenously (2.0 g) to 98 patients. The wound infection rate was 10.6 percent in patients receiving Timentin and 9.7 percent in those receiving mezlocillin (P greater than .05). Multivariate analysis of factors possibly affecting the wound infection rate showed that the presence of a colostomy preoperatively, fecal contamination at surgery, and the surgical group were the only factors that independently achieved a statistically significant association with the development of a postoperative wound infection in this trial (P less than .0001). A total of 624 consecutive eligible patients undergoing abdominal operations received a single preoperative dose of amoxycillin/clavulanic acid (1.2 g Augmentin) for the prophylaxis of surgical wound infection. They were randomised to have the antibiotic injected intravenously at induction of anaesthesia (n = 328) or infiltrated subcutaneously along the line of the proposed incision (n = 296). The incidence of wound infections was considerably lower in the group given the antibiotic into the abdominal wall (8.4% compared with 15.9%--chi 2 = 7.90, P = 0.005). No significant differences were found in the incidence of other major or minor infective or non-infective postoperative complications between the groups. It is concluded that preincisional intraparietal injection is more effective than intravenous injection of Augmentin for the prophylaxis of surgical wound infection. The ability of perioperative cefazolin to reduce the incidence of postoperative wound infection in patients undergoing ablative surgical treatment for carcinoma of the breast was tested in this prospective, randomized, double-blinded study. From May 1983 until December 1985, 118 women were divided into two groups at random. Group 1 consisted of 59 patients and received cefazolin and group 2 was made up of 59 patients who received a placebo. The groups were similar with respect to age, operative procedure, operative time and time to discharge after operation. Three infections occurred among those in group 1 and five among those in group 2 (p = 0.72). The time to onset of infection was delayed in the patients in group 1 versus those in group 2 (17.7 days versus 9.6 days, p = 0.04). Six of eight infections occurred in patients in whom an interval between biopsy and definitive surgical treatment was present. Prophylactic antibiotics in mammary operations did not reduce postoperative wound infections in this study. Selective intestinal decontamination with norfloxacin is useful in the prevention of bacterial infections in cirrhotic patients with gastrointestinal bleeding. However, bleeding cirrhotic patients with ascites, encephalopathy, or shock are at high risk to develop bacterial infections in spite of prophylactic norfloxacin. The aim of this study was to assess whether the addition of intravenous ceftriaxone could improve the efficacy of prophylaxis with norfloxacin in these patients.
                Fifty-six cirrhotic patients with gastrointestinal hemorrhage and ascites, encephalopathy, or shock were randomized into two groups: Group 1 (n = 28) received oral norfloxacin 400 mg/12 h for 7 days, and group 2 (n = 28) received norfloxacin plus intravenous ceftriaxone 2 g daily during the first 3 days of admission.
                Ten patients were excluded because of community-acquired infection, surgery, or death within the first 24 h. The incidence of bacterial infections during hospitalization was 18.1% in group 1 and 12.5% in group 2 (p = NS). The incidence of severe infections (spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, bacteremia, or pneumonia) was also similar in both groups: 9% in group 1 versus 8.3% in group 2 (p = NS). There were no statistical differences between the two groups with respect to duration of hospitalization or mortality. The cost of antibiotic therapy (including prophylaxis and treatment of infections) was significantly higher in group 2.
                These results suggest that the addition of intravenous ceftriaxone during the first 3 days of hospitalization does not improve the cost-efficacy of oral norfloxacin in the prevention of bacterial infections in cirrhotic patients with gastrointestinal bleeding and high risk of infection. In reports on earlier non-prospectively randomized trials the authors have claimed that early oral postoperative feeding is a unique benefit of laparoscopic surgery. On the other hand, some authors have suggested that early feeding could be tolerated by the majority of patients after elective open surgery.
                This prospective randomized study was undertaken to assess the feasibility and safety of immediate oral feeding in patients subjected to elective open colorectal surgery.
                This trial included 190 patients who underwent an elective colon or rectal operation. Patients were randomized after the operative procedure into one of two groups. Group I (n = 95): On the first evening after the operation, patients were allowed ab libitum intake of clear liquids; this continued until the first postoperative day at which time they progressed to a regular diet as desired. Group II (n = 95): In this group the nasogastric tube was removed when the surgeon considered that postoperative ileus had been resolved.
                Early oral intake was tolerated by 79.6% of the patients in the first 4 days in group I; there were no differences between the two groups from the 4th day on. The incidence of vomiting and nasogastric tube insertion (21.5%) was higher in patients in group I than in those in group II. The time until the first bowel movement was 4.3 days in group I and 4.7 days in group II. Complications appeared in 17.3% of the patients in group I and in 19.3% in group II.
                This study has objectively demonstrated that early oral feeding is feasible and safe in patients who have elective colorectal surgery. In a consecutive series of 65 patients treated by allogeneic bone marrow transplantation, we have compared the efficacy on prevention of bacterial infection of total gut decontamination with oral non absorbable antibiotics or with oral absorbable broad spectrum antibiotics. On day-8, all patients were randomly allocated to one group: Group I received orally pefloxacin 400 mg/day and penicillin 3 M UI/day. Group II received capsules containing cephalothin 250 mg, gentamicin 20 mg and bacitracin 150 UI. Each patient received 9 to 12 capsules per day according to body weight. Patients less than 5 years old or with severe hepatic abnormalities were excluded from the study. All patients were treated in LAF room with usual precautions of asepsis. They received sterile food. In addition, they were on ketoconazole for prophylaxis of fungal infections and acyclovir for prevention of herpes infections. Antibiotics were started on day-8 before bone marrow transplantation and stopped 15 days after discharge from the hospital. 32 patients were allocated to Group I and 33 in Group II. There was no difference between both groups according to age, sex, diagnosis. After transplant, the one year survival and the complications were similar in both groups. The median time of decontamination was 65 days, the mean number of days of agranulocytosis was 20 days, the mean number of days of fever was 7 days in both groups. The compliance was better in Group I but the treatment had to be modified in 9 patients of Group I because of liver abnormalities.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) Pefloxacin plus metronidazole versus netilmicin plus metronidazole in the prevention of nosocomial infections during contaminated surgery. Surgical prophylaxis is widely used in contaminated surgery, especially colorectal surgery. In this clinical trial the efficacy of pefloxacin 800 mg i.v. slow infusion associated to metronidazole 500 mg i.v. 1-2 hours before surgery and then metronidazole alone after 6 and 12 hours versus netilmicin 200 mg i.m. associated to metronidazole 500 mg i.v. 1-2 hours before surgery and then both after 6 and 12 hours were evaluated in 97 patients suffering by colorectal surgery. Efficacy of prophylaxis in patients was evaluated in terms of appearance of post-surgical infections (abdominal, urinary, respiratory and wound infections). In pefloxacin + metronidazole group (53 patients), two cases of wound infections (3.8%) and three cases of respiratory infections (5.8%) were observed. In netilmicin + metronidazole group (44 patients), two cases of wound infections (4.9%), three cases of urinary infections (7%), three cases of respiratory infections (7.5%) and one case of intra-abdominal infection were observed. Our data confirmed that in colorectal surgery, the association pefloxacin, drug with microbiological and pharmacokinetics characteristics suitable for prophylaxis + metronidazole, active against anaerobes pathogens, prevents post-surgical infections as well as a reference association (netilmicin + metronidazole), with the advantage of a single administration. The clinical value of synbiotics in surgical patients remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of synbiotics on intestinal integrity and microflora, as well as on surgical outcome, in patients undergoing high-risk hepatectomy.
                Fifty-four patients with biliary cancer were randomly allocated to two groups before hepatectomy. One group received postoperative enteral feeding that included synbiotics; the other received enteral feeding only. Lactulose/mannitol (L/M) ratio, serum diamine oxidase (DAO) activity, and fecal microflora and organic acid concentrations were determined. Postoperative infectious complications were recorded.
                Of the 54 patients, 44 completed the trial (21 receiving synbiotics and 23 others as controls). Postoperative changes in L/M ratios and serum DAO activities were identical between the two groups. Numbers of beneficial bacteria increased in the synbiotics group after surgery but decreased in controls. Numbers of harmful microorganisms decreased in the synbiotics group but increased in controls. Total organic acid concentrations increased in the synbiotics group but decreased in controls. Incidence of infectious complications was 19% (4/21) in the synbiotics group and 52% (12/23) in controls (P<0.05). All study patients tolerated surgery (mortality 0%).
                Synbiotics, combined with early enteral nutrition, can reduce postoperative infections. This beneficial effect presumably involves correction of an intestinal microbial imbalance induced by surgical stress. In a randomized trial of 440 patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery, the prophylactic efficacy and the safety of amoxycillin/clavulanic acid were compared with that of a control regimen of clindamycin and gentamicin. Surgical wound healing was assessed by the ASEPSIS points scale; it was normal in 86% of patients and the scores for both groups were not statistically different (amoxycillin/clavulanic acid: 11.1; clindamycin + gentamicin: 10.9). Intra-abdominal infections were more frequent in the clindamycin + gentamicin arm of the study (Fisher's exact test, P = 0.035). It is concluded that amoxycillin/clavulanic acid is as effective and safe as clindamycin + gentamicin in the prevention of wound infection and may provide better protection against intra-abdominal infections. Bowel preparation prior to colonic surgery usually includes antibiotic therapy together with mechanical bowel preparation (MBP). Mechanical bowel preparation may cause discomfort to the patient, prolonged hospitalization, and water and electrolyte imbalance. It was assumed that with the improvement in surgical technique together with the use of more effective prophylactic antibiotics, it was possible that MBP would no longer be necessary.
                There is no statistical difference in the postoperative results of patients who undergo elective colon resection with MBP as compared with those who have no MBP. Design and
                The study includes all patients who had elective large bowel resection at Campus Golda between April 1, 1999, and March 31, 2002. Emergency operations were not included. The patients were randomly assigned to the 2 study groups (with or without MBP) according to identification numbers. All patients were treated with intravenous and oral antibiotics prior to surgery. The patients in the MBP group received Soffodex for bowel preparation.
                A total of 329 patients participated in the study, 165 without MBP and 164 with MBP. The 2 groups were similar in age, sex, and type of surgical procedure. Two hundred sixty-eight patients (81.5%) underwent surgery owing to colorectal cancer and 61 patients (18.5%) owing to benign disease. The hospitalization period was longer in the bowel-prepared group (mean +/- SD, 8.2 +/- 5.1 days) as compared with the nonprepared group (mean +/- SD, 8.0 +/- 2.7 days). However, this difference was not statistically significant. The time until the first bowel movement was similar between the 2 groups: a mean +/- SD of 4.2 +/- 1.3 days in the nonprepared group as compared with a mean +/- SD of 4.3 +/- 1.1 days in the prepared group (P = NS). Four patients (1.2%) died in the postoperative course owing to acute myocardial infarction and pulmonary embolism. Sixty-two patients (37.6%) of the non-MBP group suffered from postoperative complications as compared with 77 patients (46.9%) of the MBP group.
                Our results suggest that no advantage is gained by preoperative MBP in elective colorectal surgery. Antibiotics are often used inappropriately in hospitals. We created a structured antibiotic order form designed to guide physicians toward correct therapeutic decisions without restricting their clinical options. Educational messages and graphic reminders were incorporated into a new form required to order parenteral antibiotics at a teaching hospital. Pharmacokinetic considerations were emphasized. The forms were supplemented with brief literature reviews and appropriate references. Before introduction of the form, pharmacokinetically incorrect orders for clindamycin, cefazolin sodium, and metronidazole hydrochloride accounted for 90%, 60%, and 75% of patient-days of therapy for these drugs, respectively. Immediately after implementation of the form, nonrecommended dosing schedules dropped to under 6% of patient-days for all three antibiotics. Savings from these drugs alone accounted for over $76,000 annually. We conclude that in a period of increasing constraints on hospital budgets and proliferating restrictions on physicians' clinical choices, educational intervention at the time orders are written can provide a cost-effective and noncoercive means of improving some forms of acute-care clinical decision making. To assess the result of antibiotic prophylaxis in low-risk patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy with respect to the postoperative septic complications.
                One hundred and two low-risk patients were randomized into 1 of 2 treatment arms (1) cefazolin 1 g intravenously after induction of anesthesia (PA group) and (2) no prophylactic antibiotics (NONE group). Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was attempted in all cases. The patients were followed-up for postoperative septic complications for at least 30 days at the out-patient clinic or by telephone contact. In both groups, sex, age, weight, American Society of Anesthesiologists patient classification score, operative time, surgical techniques, number of port sites, intraoperative cholangiograms, intraoperative gallbladder rupture, postoperative hospital stay, and postoperative septic complications were compared. The statistical analysis of data performed by computer program SPSS 10.0 for Windows was based on the Independent-Samples T Test or the Pearson Chi-Square (2-sided).
                There was only one minor problem of superficial wound infection in the NONE group. Comparison of data showed no statistically significant difference between the groups.
                Antibiotic Prophylaxis may not be necessary in low-risk patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy. To test the hypothesis that comprehensive broad-spectrum empirical antimicrobial therapy is superior to limited-spectrum empirical antimicrobial therapy in intra-abdominal infections.
                Prospective, randomized, double-blinded study.
                University-affiliated hospitals in Canada.
                Two hundred thirteen patients with intra-abdominal infections and planned operative or percutaneous drainage.
                Limited-spectrum empirical antimicrobial therapy consisted of cefoxitin sodium, 2 g, intravenously, every 6 hours (n = 109). Comprehensive broad-spectrum empirical antimicrobial therapy consisted of a combination of imipenem and cilastatin sodium, 500 mg, intravenously, every 6 hours (n = 104).
                Failure to cure the intra-abdominal infection (persistence of infection or death).
                Of initial isolates, 98% were sensitive to imipenem plus cilastin sodium compared with 72% for cefoxitin. No difference was found in the failure rate between treatment groups. Among various reasons for failure (including technical), 12 of 80 patients in the limited-spectrum empirical antimicrobial therapy group had resistant organisms at a second intervention compared with 1 of 74 in the comprehensive broad-spectrum empirical antimicrobial therapy group (P < .003, chi 2). One death in the limited-spectrum empirical antimicrobial therapy group was due to autopsy-proved disseminated Pseudomonas aeruginosa (blood, peritoneum, lung, and pleural fluid) that was resistant to cefoxitin, and the other was associated with peritonitis due to cefoxitin-resistant Enterobacter cloacae. One death in the comprehensive broad-spectrum empirical antimicrobial therapy group was associated with peritonitis from Clostridium perfringens that was sensitive to imipenem plus cilastin sodium, and the other was associated with peritonitis from Pseudomonas aeruginosa that was resistant to imipenem plus cilastin sodium.
                Treatment failure of intra-abdominal infection may be due, in part, to the presence of resistant pathogens at the site of infection. Therefore, routine culture of these sites seems worthwhile and empirical therapy should be as comprehensive as possible and should cover all potential pathogens. A prospective randomized study was performed with 61 patients undergoing elective surgery for colorectal cancer, to evaluate the prophylactic effect of two different parenteral antibiotic regimens. All patients were randomly allocated into two groups, comparable in age, sex, nutritional status and operative procedures. The patients in Group A (n. 31) received 1 g i.v. of imipenem-cilastatin at induction of anesthesia. Patients in Group B (n. 30) were given cefuroxime (1.5 g i.v.) plus metronidazole (0.5 g i.v.) at the time of anesthesia and two other administrations of the combined antibiotics (cefuroxime 0.75 g plus metronidazole 0.5 g i.v.) every 8 hours. The severity of sepsis was evaluated according to the scoring system proposed by Elebute and Stoner. No significant differences were found in terms of the rate of surgical infections: 9% in Group A and 16% in Group B. Infections not of surgical origin were found only in Group B (10.4%). These data suggest that a single dose of intravenous imipenem-cilastatin appears to be as effective as three doses of cefuroxime and metronidazole as prophylaxis against infection in elective colorectal surgery. In a randomized controlled study of 411 patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery, the efficacy and safety of two different regimens of imipenem were compared with those of a control regimen of cefuroxime plus metronidazole. Surgical infections occurred in 92 (26.4 per cent) of 349 evaluable patients. There were no major differences between the three treatment groups. It is concluded that imipenem is as effective as cefuroxime plus metronidazole in the prevention of sepsis after elective colorectal procedures. In a prospective trial conducted at five medical centres, 136 patients aged 18 to 75, undergoing elective gastro-intestinal surgery were randomized to receive a single dose of cefotaxime, 1 g preoperatively, or cefoxitin, 2 g preoperatively followed by 2 g every 6 h for no more than 24 h. Overall infection rates with both regimens were approximately 10%. There were no significant differences in the infection rates between subgroups. Thus, a single preoperative 1 g dose of cefotaxime is as efficacious as, but considerably more cost-effective than, multiple 2 g doses of perioperative cefoxitin in the prevention of infection following elective gastrointestinal tract surgery. Treatment of postoperative ileus remains unsatisfactory. Erythromycin (EM), a macrolide antibiotic, has prokinetic effects on the gut. We investigated whether intravenous erythromycin decreases the time to the return of normal bowel function after bowel surgery in patients with bladder cancer and interstitial cystitis who have undergone cystectomy and urinary diversion.
                We conducted a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study of 22 volunteers. On the first postoperative day, patients began receiving intravenous erythromycin (125 mg) or placebo every 8 hours (maximum of 21 doses). The patients' ability to tolerate a general diet and return of bowel function was monitored.
                A general diet was tolerated at a median of 9 days postoperatively for the EM arm and 8 for the placebo arm (P = 0.60). The first bowel sounds were detected at an average of 2 postoperative days for the EM arm and 3 for the placebo arm (P = 0.88). First flatus was present an average of 5 days postoperatively for both study arms (P = 0.35). The first bowel movement was present an average of 6 days postoperatively for the EM arm and 5 for the placebo arm (P = 0.98).
                No significant difference was found between EM and placebo with regard to the onset of bowel sounds, passage of flatus, passage of the first bowel movement, and the time to tolerate a general diet. These data indicate that erythromycin is not useful in improving postoperative bowel function.
Antibiotics covering aerobic and aerobic bacteria should be delivered orally and intravenously prior to colorectal surgery.  Antibiotics delivered within this framework will reduce the risk of postoperative SWI by at least 75%.  Further research is required to establish the optimal timing and duration of dosing, and frequency of longer-term adverse effects such as Clostridium difficile pseudomembranous colitis.