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Comparative study of single dose and five days dose of gentamicin as prophylaxis in appendicectomy
1Department of Surgery, U.B.T.H., Benin City, Nigeria.
Insights
A single prophylactic dose of gentamicin is as effective as a five-day course for preventing wound infections after appendicectomy. This study found no significant difference in postoperative complications between the two gentamicin regimens.
Area of Science:
- Surgical infection prophylaxis
- Pharmacology
- Clinical trial methodology
Background:
- Appendicectomy is a common surgical procedure.
- Acute appendicitis requires prompt surgical intervention.
- Antibiotic prophylaxis is standard practice to prevent surgical site infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy of a single prophylactic dose versus a five-day course of gentamicin in preventing postoperative complications following appendicectomy for uncomplicated acute appendicitis.
Main Methods:
- One hundred patients undergoing appendicectomy were randomized into two groups.
- Group 1 received a single prophylactic injection of gentamicin.
- Group 2 received a five-day course of gentamicin, with the first dose preoperatively.
Main Results:
- No wound infections were observed in either group.
- There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of other postoperative complications between the two groups.
- Both gentamicin regimens demonstrated comparable safety and efficacy.
Conclusions:
- A single prophylactic dose of gentamicin is a viable and effective alternative to a five-day course for preventing complications after appendicectomy.
- This finding supports the use of shorter antibiotic durations in specific surgical contexts.
- Further research may explore cost-effectiveness and patient compliance with single-dose regimens.
Abstract:
One hundred patients who had appendicectomy for uncomplicated acute appendicitis over 1 year were randomly allocated to two groups of 50 patients each. Patients in group 1 had a single prophylactic injection of gentamicin while those in group 2 had a five days course with the first dose given just before the operation. There was no wound infection in any of the patients in either groups. There was also no statistically significant difference in the incidence of other postoperative complications. These findings suggest that a single prophylactic dose of gentamicin was as effective as a five days course in preventing postoperatively complications, like wound infection.