title: [Inappropriate use of antibiotics in acute appendicitis. A survey of Mexican surgeons].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Appendectomy is the most common non-elective surgery. The postoperative use of antibiotics depends on the stage of the appendix at the time of surgery. Several classifications establish that state. We determine if these classifications are known and used by Mexican surgeons.
  
  
  METHODS
  A descriptive and observational study was performed. A questionnaire was completed by surgeons asking the following questions: Do you use a classification for acute appendicitis? 2) Which classification do you prefer? 3) Do you use antibiotics postoperatively? 4) For what period of time do you administer antibiotics postoperatively? We evaluated if the postoperative treatment is influenced by the use of a classification, using the chi(2) test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred and forty two surgeons were interviewed, 99% used a classification, and 48% indicated postoperative antibiotics, despite the stage of the disease, monotherapy (69%), and for three doses (60%). Fifty two percent used antibiotic only in advanced stages, with two different types (61%), and from 7 to 10 days (66%). We did not find any statistical difference in management, regardless of whether or not an appendicitis classification was used.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although most surgeons use one classification for acute appendicitis, this does not influence postoperative treatment. This incongruity results in the unjustified use of antibiotics.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Cirugía General, Hospital General de México, México D.F., Mexico. jofran_77@hotmail.com
authors.forename: José Francisco
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Corona-Cruz
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Melchor-Ruan
authors.forename: Noé Isaías
authors.initials: NI
authors.lastname: Gracida-Mancilla
authors.forename: Gerardo Ricardo
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Vega-Chavaje
authors.forename: Raúl
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sánchez-Lozada
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001062:Appendectomy; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000145:classification / Q000601:surgery*; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D008800:Mexico; D011182:Postoperative Care; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents