title: Evaluation of the use of a protocol in the antimicrobial treatment of intra-abdominal sepsis.
abstract: A protocol was established aimed at limiting the duration of antimicrobial therapy in two patient groups with peritonitis. One group had perforated or gangrenous appendicitis and the other non-appendiceal disease. The duration of treatment given to patients treated according to the protocol was compared retrospectively to that of similar patients treated without the protocol. Patients with perforated or gangrenous appendicitis required significantly less antimicrobial therapy than those with peritonitis due to non-appendiceal disease. In non-appendiceal intra-abdominal sepsis the use of the protocol was associated with a significantly reduced duration of antimicrobial therapy, compared with that observed without the protocol.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Bell
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Forward
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Forget
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000150:complications; D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D006801:Humans; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014031:Tobramycin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D008795:Metronidazole; D014031:Tobramycin