Randomized clinical trial of single- versus multiple-dose antimicrobial prophylaxis in gastric cancer surgery.
BACKGROUND
The optimum duration of antimicrobial prophylaxis in elective gastric cancer surgery is still open to question. This multicentre randomized clinical trial compared a single-dose with a multiple-dose regimen of antimicrobial prophylaxis for prevention of surgical-site infection.


METHODS
Between May 2001 and December 2004, 501 patients undergoing elective surgery for gastric cancer in ten centres were allocated randomly to single- or multiple-dose antimicrobial prophylaxis. The primary outcome measure was the incidence of surgical-site infection, analysed by intention to treat.


RESULTS
Some 243 patients who received a single dose and 243 who received multiple doses of antibiotics were included in the final analysis. The surgical-site infection rate was 9.5 per cent (23 of 243) and 8.6 per cent (21 of 243) respectively (difference 0.9 (95 per cent confidence interval - 4.3 to 5.9) per cent). Antimicrobial prophylaxis had no major adverse effects.


CONCLUSIONS
The incidence of surgical-site infection in elective gastric cancer surgery was similar with both antibiotic prophylaxis regimens.
Mohri
Y
Y
Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery and Paediatric Surgery, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsu, Mie, Japan. ya-mohri@clin.medic.mie-u.ac.jp
Tonouchi
H
H
Kobayashi
M
M
Nakai
K
K
Kusunoki
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents