Anticonvulsant and antibiotic prophylaxis in head injury.
The evidence for and against the prophylactic use of anticonvulsants and antibiotics in head injury is reviewed. There is a lack of blinded placebo-controlled trials in this area. On balance there is no compelling evidence to support the use of either anticonvulsant or antibiotic prophylaxis in head injury, with the possible exception of antibiotic prophylaxis in compound depressed skull fractures and penetrating brain injuries.
Walton Centre for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Liverpool.
L T
LT
Dunn
P M
PM
Foy
D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000150:complications*; D004834:Epilepsy, Post-Traumatic / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D012887:Skull Fractures / Q000150:complications; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000150:complications
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000927:Anticonvulsants