Skip to main content
Log in

Single or multiple doses of metronidazole and ampicillin in elective colorectal surgery

A randomized trial

  • Published:
Diseases of the Colon & Rectum

Abstract

A randomized trial including 294 patients was performed to evaluate the prophylactic effect of singlevs. multiple doses of antibiotics in elective colorectal surgery. All patients received 1.5 g metronidazole and 3.0 g ampicillin peroperatively and were randomized to: 1) no further prophylactic antibiotic treatment, or 2) ampicillin 1 g×3 and metronidazole 0.5 g×3 given intravenously during the second and third postoperative days. Deep wound infection was seen in 9/149 (6 percent) receiving a single dose and in 8/145 (6 percent) receiving multiple doses. no differences were found in the two groups between frequencies of anastomotic dehiscences, intra-abdominal abscesses, sepsis, and pulmonary infections. the two groups were similar according to distribution of sex, age, diagnosis, and type of surgery. A single peroperative dose of metronidazole and ampicillin is a simple and satisfactory antibiotic prophylaxis in elective colorectal surgery.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Bartlett SP, Burton RC. Effects of prophylactic antibiotics on wound infection after elective colon and rectal surgery: 1960 to 1980. Am J Surg 1983;145:300–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Keighley MR. Prevention and treatment of infection in colorectal surgery. World J Surg 1982;6:312–20.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Stone HH, Haney BB, Kolb LD, Geheber CE, Hooper CA. Prophylactic and preventive antibiotic therapy. Ann Surg 1979;189:691–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Stone HH, Hooper CR, Kolb LD, Geheber CE, Dawkins EJ. Antibiotic prophylaxis in gastric, biliary and colonic surgery. Ann Surg 1976;184:443–52.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Downing R, McLeish AR, Burdon DW, Path MR, Alexander-Williams J, Keighley MR. Duration of systemic prophylactic antibiotic cover against anaerobic sepsis in intestinal surgery. Dis Colon Rectum 1977;20:401–4.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Törnqvist A, Ekelund G, Forsgren A, Leandoer L, Olsen S, Ursing J. Single dose doxycycline prophylaxis and preoperative bacteriological culture in elective colorectal surgery. Br J Surg 1981;68:565–8.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Higgins AF, Lewis A, Noone P, Hole ML. Single and multiple dose cotrimoxazole and metronidazole in colorectal surgery. Br J Surg 1980;67:90–2.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Göransson G, Nilsson-Ehle I, Olsson S, Petersson BG, Bengmark S. Single versus multiple dose doxycycline prophylaxis in elective colorectal surgery. Acta Chir Scand 1984;150:245–9.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Giercksky KE, Danielsen S, Garberg O, et al. A single dose tinidazole and doxycycline prophylaxis in elective surgery of colon and rectum. Ann Surg 1982;195:227–31.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Hares MM, Bentley S, Allan RN, Burdon DW, Keighley MR. Clinical trials of the efficacy and duration of antibacterial cover for elective resection in inflammatory bowel disease. Br J Surg 1982;69:215–7.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Liåvag I, Roland M. Abdominoperineal excision of the rectum: a prospective study based on a standardized method. World J Surg 1983;7:241–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Juul P, Merrild U, Kronborg O. Topical ampicillin in addition to a systemic antibiotic prophylaxis in elective colorectal surgery: a prospective randomized study. Dis Colon Rectum 1985;28:804–6.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Roland M, Bergan T, Bjerkeset T, et al. Prophylactic regimens in colorectal surgery: comparisons between metronidazole used alone or with ampicillin for one or three days. World J Surg 1985;9:626–32.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

About this article

Cite this article

Juul, P., Klaaborg, K.E. & Kronborg, O. Single or multiple doses of metronidazole and ampicillin in elective colorectal surgery. Dis Colon Rectum 30, 526–528 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02554782

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02554782

Key words

Navigation