[Preventive use of antibiotics in kidney transplantation]

Antibiotic prophylaxis in kidney transplantation is controversial. In a prospective controlled study, 34 cadaveric kidney transplant recipients were investigated. Antibiotic prophylaxis was given in a random order to 16 patients whereas 18 without prophylaxis served as controlls. In 4 of 20 investigated clinical parameters statistically significant differences were found between both groups: the controlls happened to have better initial conditions; perioperative and postoperative better initial conditions; perioperative and postoperative infections were less frequent in the prophylaxis group and more antibiotics postoperatively were needed in the controlls. These findings indicate that antibiotic prophylaxis has a beneficial effect in kidney transplantation.