title: Antibiotic prophylaxis in acute non-perforated appendicitis in children: single dose of metronidazole and gentamicin.
abstract: In a 3-year study, 103 children with acute non-perforated appendicitis who underwent appendicectomy were randomized for either a single preoperative dose of gentamicin and metronidazole or three doses of gentamicin and metronidazole given before and after the operation. The overall wound infection rate was 1.9%. There was no significant difference between wound infection rates of the single-dose group (2.1%) and the three-dose group (1.8%). The mean(s.d.) hospital stays of the single-dose and three-dose groups were similar: 6.6(2.2) days and 6.4(2.7) days. This study shows that a single preoperative dose of gentamicin and metronidazole is as effective as three doses of gentamicin and metronidazole in the control of post-appendicectomy wound sepsis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Queen Mary Hospital, University of Hong Kong.
authors.forename: T M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Tsang
authors.forename: P K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Tam
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Saing
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005839:Gentamicins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011292:Premedication; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D005839:Gentamicins; D008795:Metronidazole