title: Prevention of post-operative infection in appendicectomy by single dose intravenous metronidazole. An open prospective randomised study.
abstract: In an open prospective randomized study of appendicectomy, single-dose (1 g) intravenous metronidazole prophylaxis (and continued metronidazole plus nalidixic acid in perforated appendices) resulted in a lower overall post-operative infection rate (1.4%) than no prophylaxis and doxycycline therapy in the case of perforation (16%, p less than 0.025). In patients with an unperforated appendix no infections occurred after single-dose metronidazole prophylaxis as opposed to 8.2% infections in untreated controls (p less than 0.025).
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001062:Appendectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000150:complications; D002648:Child; D004318:Doxycycline / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral; D008297:Male; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D009268:Nalidixic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D008795:Metronidazole; D009268:Nalidixic Acid; D004318:Doxycycline