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Efficacy of Brief Antibiotic Prophylaxis

Roy E. Winslow, MD; Richard E. Dean, MD; John W. Harley, MD

Arch Surg. 1983;118(5):651-655.

Abstract
• A prospective, randomized, double-blind clinical study was performed to determine the efficacy of perioperative systemic antibiotics in preventing infection after appendectomy for acute nonperforating appendicitis. One hundred three patients received three doses of either placebo (saline, n=52) or cefoxitin sodium (n=51). The two groups were similar with regard to age distribution, sex ratio, duration of operation, pathologic condition of appendix, and hospital stay. Postoperative wound infections were detected in 9.6% of the placebo-treated patients, whereas none occurred in the cefoxitin group. All but one infection appeared after discharge. Cost analysis identified a net savings of $84 per patient with the use of prophylactic antibiotics. Septic morbidity after appendectomy for nonperforating appendicitis is significantly reduced by systemic antibiotics, and brief administration of a single broad-spectrum agent (cefoxitin) is effective prophylaxis.

(Arch Surg 1983;118:651-655)

Author Affiliations
From the Department of Surgery, Michigan State University, College of Human Medicine, and Butterworth Hospital, Grand Rapids, Mich.

Footnotes
Accepted for publication Jan 3, 1983.

Read before the 90th annual meeting of the Western Surgical Association, Kansas City, Mo, Nov 16, 1982.

Reprint requests to Department of Surgical Education, Butterworth Hospital, 100 Michigan St NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 (Dr Winslow).

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