title: Amoxycillin/clavulanic acid prophylaxis in elective colorectal surgery: a prospective randomized trial.
abstract: In a randomized trial of 440 patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery, the prophylactic efficacy and the safety of amoxycillin/clavulanic acid were compared with that of a control regimen of clindamycin and gentamicin. Surgical wound healing was assessed by the ASEPSIS points scale; it was normal in 86% of patients and the scores for both groups were not statistically different (amoxycillin/clavulanic acid: 11.1; clindamycin + gentamicin: 10.9). Intra-abdominal infections were more frequent in the clindamycin + gentamicin arm of the study (Fisher's exact test, P = 0.035). It is concluded that amoxycillin/clavulanic acid is as effective and safe as clindamycin + gentamicin in the prevention of wound infection and may provide better protection against intra-abdominal infections.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University Hospital (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mosimann
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cornu
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: N'Ziya
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019980:Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis; D002981:Clindamycin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003108:Colonic Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005839:Gentamicins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012002:Rectal Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D014945:Wound Healing
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D005839:Gentamicins; D002981:Clindamycin; D019980:Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination