[Our experience in introducing current antibiotic prophylaxis into abdominal surgery--the initial results]

Over a one-year period (Nov. 1996-Nov. 1997), a total of 154 patients are admitted on an emergency basis, with deferred emergency and for routine treatment in the Clinic of Emergency Surgery. They are distributed in three groups, as follows: patients not requiring perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis and postoperative antibiotic therapy--27, patients subjected to perioperative parenteral antibiotic prophylaxis under adequate hospital conditions--121, and patients undergoing antibiotic prophylaxis in conditions inappropriate for its application--six. The drug schemes elaborated are in conformity with worldwide and Bulgarian experience along this line, and with the concrete hospital and economical conditions in this country. In all patient indicated for antibiotic prophylaxis the listed below antibacterial agents (presented as drug schemes) are administered i.v. a single time prior to anesthesia induction: in operations on the gastrointestinal tract except for interventions in acute appendicitis: cephalotin/cefazolin 2.0 g and metronidazole 0.5 g i.v.; in operations for acute appendicitis: amoxicillin/clavulanate 1.2 g and petronidazole 0.5 f i.v.; biliary surgery free of extrahepatic cholestasis: cephalotin/cefazolin 2.0 g i.v.; biliary surgery with present or preceding extrahepatic cholestasis: cefotetan 2 g i.v.; contaminated liver cysts (parasitic and nonparasitic): cefotetan 2 g i.v.; abdominal trauma without perforation of a hollow organ: cefotetan 2 g i.v.; in plastic repair of the anterior abdominal wall (congenital defects, postoperative eventration) and in poor risk patients (local and general status: cephalotin/cefazolin 2.0 g i.v. In 135 patients the postoperative period runs a course free of complications worthy of notice. Complications directly linked to introduction of the method proposed are recorded in ten cases: operative wound suppuration (4) and hospital infection (6). Complications not related directly to the procedure are observed in nine cases: urinary tract infection (4), bronchopneumonia (2), fever with unknown source of infection (including negative hemoculture) necessitating additional antibiotic therapy (2) and secondary infection (within a week of intervention) necessitating further therapy with antibiotics. The specific features of antibiotic prophylaxis used in the various types of operative interventions are discussed from microbiological, clinical and pharmacotherapeutic viewpoints. The obtained results are compared with pertinent literature data on the issue with a special reference to the clinical efficacy attained. They mirror the approach against the background of the concrete hospital conditions in this country. The method developed is fully consistent with the level of surgical expertise in Bulgaria. All efforts should be aimed at intrahospital environment improvement by means of meticulous asepsis and antisepsis.