A meta-analysis of the use of amoxycillin-clavulanic acid in surgical prophylaxis.
The efficacy of amoxycillin-clavulanic acid as antibiotic prophylaxis in surgery has been assessed in numerous clinical studies, chiefly in abdominal and gynaecological surgery. A meta-analysis of 21 trials covering 2685 patients given amoxycillin-clavulanic acid and 2220 patients given comparator regimens is presented. Monotherapy with amoxycillin-clavulanic acid was as effective as the comparators, including combination regimens utilizing gentamicin or metronidazole, in preventing wound infections (median wound infection rates were 6% and 10% respectively). The antibacterial activity of amoxycillin-clavulanic acid covers the broad range of aerobic Gram-negative and anaerobic organisms that have a major role in postoperative infections. In addition, amoxycillin-clavulanic acid may have benefits in terms of convenience, tolerance and cost.
Department of Clinical Microbiology, University College Hospital, London, UK.
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AP
Wilson
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S
Shrimpton
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M
Jaderberg
D000005:Abdomen / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery; D000658:Amoxicillin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019980:Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002969:Clavulanic Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005836:Genitalia, Female / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*
D002969:Clavulanic Acids; D019980:Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; D000658:Amoxicillin