Comparative study of augmentin versus metronidazole/gentamicin in the prevention of infections after appendicectomy.
Augmentin as single agent was compared to the combination of metronidazole/gentamicin in the prevention of sepsis after appendicectomy. Two hundred patients admitted to Riyadh Central Hospital with a clinical diagnosis of acute appendicitis were enrolled in a prospective randomized study. All patients had a preoperative chest X ray, CBC, urinalysis and any other necessary investigations. Patients received either drug regime intravenously, 30 min prior to surgery. The overall incidence of wound infections in the Augmentin group was 8% as compared to 14% in the metronidazole/gentamicin group. There were no intra-abdominal abscesses in either group. Patients with perforated or gangrenous appendices received a 3- to 5-day course of treatment. All the early wound infection (2-4 days after operation) occurred in patients with gangrenous or perforated appendices. The results were studied statistically using chi 2 and there was no statistically significant difference between the infection rates in the two treatment groups whatever the state of the appendix at operation. Augmentin is as effective and well-tolerated as metronidazole/gentamicin in the prevention of wound infection following appendicectomy. The ease of administration of one drug with added anti-anaerobic property makes Augmentin superior to the tested combination.
al-Dhohayan
A
A
Department of Surgery, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
al-Sebayl
M
M
Shibl
A
A
al-Eshalwy
S
S
Kattan
K
K
al-Saleh
M
M
D000658:Amoxicillin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019980:Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; D001062:Appendectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002969:Clavulanic Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005839:Gentamicins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011292:Premedication; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*
D002969:Clavulanic Acids; D005839:Gentamicins; D008795:Metronidazole; D019980:Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; D000658:Amoxicillin