Cefminox versus metronidazole plus gentamicin intra-abdominal infections: a prospective randomized controlled clinical trial.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this prospective study was to compare the safety and efficacy of a new cephamycin, cefminox 2 g/12 h, to those of the usual regimen combining metronidazole 500 mg/8 h and gentamicin 80 mg/8 h (M+G).


METHODS
160 patients with clinically proven intra-abdominal infection were prospectively included in an open parallel randomized comparative multicenter trial. Antibiotics were started preoperatively and discontinued after clinical and laboratory evidence of resolution of the infection. Serum and peritoneal fluid levels and serum bactericidal activities were also studied.


RESULTS
150 patients were clinically evaluable. There was one failure in the cefminox group and three in the M+G group (not significant, RR: 1.07, 95% CI: 1-1.15). No differences were found in the number of wound infections, length of stay or duration of antibiotic therapy. Adverse effects were reported in 11 cases, all of them mild to moderate. Escherichia coli and Bacteroides fragilis were the most frequently found microorganisms.


CONCLUSIONS
Cefminox is as effective and as safe as M+G in the treatment of intra-abdominal infections.
Torres
A J
AJ
Dept. of Surgery II, Clínico San Carlos Hospital, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain. AJTORRES@teleline.es
Valladares
L D
LD
Jover
J M
JM
Sánchez-Pernaute
A
A
Frías
J
J
Carcas
A J
AJ
Coronel
P
P
Ródenas
E
E
Pérez-Balcabao
I
I
Fernández-Roblas
R
R
Moreno
M
M
Balibrea
J L
JL
D000005:Abdomen; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D001441:Bacteroides fragilis; D002513:Cephamycins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004926:Escherichia coli; D005839:Gentamicins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002513:Cephamycins; D005839:Gentamicins; D008795:Metronidazole; C046079:cefminox