title: Ticarcillin/clavulanic acid (Timentin) compared to metronidazole/netilmicin in preventing postoperative infection after elective colorectal surgery.
abstract: A randomized controlled trial was performed to compare the effectiveness of ticarcillin/clavulanic acid to metronidazole/netilmicin in preventing postoperative infections after elective colorectal surgery. Ninety-two patients were randomly allocated to receive three doses of ticarcillin, 3 g, with clavulanic acid, 100 mg every 8 hours, or three doses of metronidazole, 500 mg, and netilmicin, 80 mg intravenously every 8 hours. All patients received a mechanical bowel preparation with 3 L of Go-lytely solution. There were no operative deaths. Eight patients had wound infections--three in the ticarcillin/clavulanic acid group and five in the metronidazole/netilmicin group. One patient in the ticarcillin/clavulanic acid group had an intra-abdominal abscess. There were two anastomotic leaks, one in each group. Ticarcillin/clavulanic acid and metronidazole/netilmicin appear to be equally effective in preventing postoperative infections after elective colorectal surgery.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002969:Clavulanic Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003106:Colon / Q000601:surgery*; D004338:Drug Combinations / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009428:Netilmicin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010406:Penicillins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011292:Premedication; D011897:Random Allocation; D012007:Rectum / Q000601:surgery*; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013982:Ticarcillin / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D002969:Clavulanic Acids; D004338:Drug Combinations; D010406:Penicillins; D008795:Metronidazole; D009428:Netilmicin; C043215:ticarcillin-clavulanic acid; D013982:Ticarcillin