Studies on Antibiotic Prophylaxis for Postoperative Infection in Cholecystectomy

Abstract

A controlled study of prophylaxis with Cefotaxime (CTX) was carried out in 58 patients undergoing cholecystectomy. The patients were randomyl divided into 3 treatment groups by the envelope method. All patients received intravenous drip infusion of 1g of CTX at one time. In group A it was given only when anesthesia was started (n=18). In group B it was given at the beginning of anesthesia and immediately after the operation and every 12 hours 3 days (n=20). In group C it was given at immediately after the operation and every 12 hours for 7 days (n=20). Postoperative infection related to the surgical field was noted in 10.3% of all patients, 27.8% in group A, 5% in group B and 0% in group C. The incidence of infection related to the surgical fields was greater in group A than in group B and C (p<0.05). Correlation between intraoperative bile contamination and postoperative infection rates was not demonstrated, but the organisms from contaminated bile often caused postoperative infection. Postoperative infection due to bacteria sensitive to CTX was not frequent, CTX was useful for postoperative antibiotic prophylaxis in cholecystectomy. A single infusion of 1 g of CTX was not enough for prophylaxis in cholecystectomy.