Single-dose cefotetan or cefoxitin versus multiple-dose cefoxitin as prophylaxis in patients undergoing appendectomy for acute nonperforated appendicitis.
OBJECTIVE
A prospective, double-blind study was performed to examine the effects of prophylactic cefotetan and cefoxitin in postoperative wound infection for patients with nonperforated acute appendicitis.


METHODS
One hundred thirty-six of 179 patients with a clinical diagnosis of appendicitis were evaluated and divided into three groups: group 1 received 2 g cefotetan preoperatively, group 2 received 2 g cefoxitin preoperatively, and group 3 received 2 g cefoxitin preoperatively followed by three postoperative doses.


RESULTS
The overall wound infection rate was 4.6 percent. Group 2 (single-dose cefoxitin) had a significantly higher wound infection rate (11.1 percent) than group 1 (single-dose cefotetan) (zero percent) or group 3 (multiple-dose cefoxitin) (1.9 percent).


CONCLUSIONS
Single-dose cefotetan and multiple-dose cefoxitin are equally effective. However, because of the greater convenience and markedly decreased cost, single-dose cefotetan is the prophylaxis of choice in appendectomy for nonperforated appendicitis.
Liberman
M A
MA
Department of General Surgery, Naval-Medical Center, San Diego.
Greason
K L
KL
Frame
S
S
Ragland
J J
JJ
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D001062:Appendectomy; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000601:surgery*; D015313:Cefotetan / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002440:Cefoxitin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011292:Premedication; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*
D015313:Cefotetan; D002440:Cefoxitin