Short term chemotherapeutic prophylaxis in gastrointestinal operations

In a prospective, randomized study on surgical prophylaxis in elective gastrointestinal operations, 145 adults were allocated to either one of three groups. Those in group 1 received one single preoperative dose of 200 milligrams of doxycycline and 2 grams of tinidazole. Those in group 2 were given three doses of 80 milligrams of gentamicin and 600 milligrams of clindamycin with eight hour intervals, beginning one hour preoperatively. Group 3 patients served as controls and obtained no antimicrobial agent. The prophylactic regimens significantly reduced the infectious complications, as evidenced by fewer infections, less total antibiotic dosage and shorter hospitalization. In the prophylactically treated groups, anaerobic infections were less frequent than in those in the control group.