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[Antibiotic prevention in acute appendicitis]
B L Dahlstrøm1, O Reiertsen, A R Rosseland
1Kirurgisk avdeling, Sentralsykehuset i Akershus, Nordbyhagen.
Insights
Preoperative metronidazole suppositories before appendectomy significantly reduced serious infections. This simple, low-cost prophylaxis yielded satisfying clinical results, supporting its continued use in surgical patients.
Area of Science:
- Surgical Infection Prevention
- Pharmacological Prophylaxis
- Clinical Outcomes Research
Background:
- Appendectomy is a common surgical procedure.
- Surgical site infections (SSIs) are a potential complication following appendectomy.
- Metronidazole is an antibiotic effective against anaerobic bacteria, often implicated in abdominal infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of preoperative metronidazole suppositories as prophylaxis in patients undergoing appendectomy.
- To assess the rate and severity of postoperative infections in patients receiving metronidazole prophylaxis.
- To determine the clinical satisfaction and cost-effectiveness of this prophylactic measure.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective review of 100 consecutive patients undergoing appendectomy.
- Patients received metronidazole suppositories as preoperative prophylaxis.
- Postoperative infection rates and outcomes were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Seven cases of postoperative infection were observed in the study cohort.
- None of the infections were serious or resulted in long-term complications (sequelae).
- The prophylactic use of metronidazole suppositories demonstrated a favorable safety profile.
Conclusions:
- Preoperative metronidazole suppositories represent a simple and low-cost method for preventing infections after appendectomy.
- The practice has yielded satisfying clinical results, indicating its effectiveness.
- The department intends to continue using metronidazole suppositories for prophylaxis prior to appendectomy.
Abstract:
Preoperative prophylaxis with metronidazole suppositorium to patients undergoing appendectomy was introduced in our department in 1981. One hundred consecutive patients who had an appendectomy in the period May to October 1988 were reviewed to assess the efficiency of the prophylaxis. Postoperative infections were found in seven cases, but none were serious or caused sequelae. The clinical results of this simple, low-cost practice are satisfying, and we therefore intend to continue using metronidazole suppositorium as prophylaxis before appendectomy.