Skip to main content
Kent Academic Repository

A randomized trial of one versus three doses of Augmentin as Wound prophylaxis in at-risk abdominal surgery

Bates, Tom, Roberts, J.V., Smith, K., German, K.A. (1992) A randomized trial of one versus three doses of Augmentin as Wound prophylaxis in at-risk abdominal surgery. Postgraduate Medical Journal, 68 (804). pp. 811-816. ISSN 0032-5473. (doi:10.1136/pgmj.68.804.811) (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:66391)

The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided.
Official URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/pgmj.68.804.811

Abstract

In a randomized prospective trial of prophylactic antibiotics in at-risk abdominal surgery, one dose of intravenous Augmentin (amoxycillin 250 mg and clavulanic acid 125 mg) on induction has been compared with three 8 hourly doses in 900 patients. Wound infection rates which included minor and delayed infections were very similar in those given one dose: 48/449 (10.7%) compared with those given three doses: 49/451 (10.9%) 95% confidence limits - 4.25% + 3.9%. There were more septic and sepsis-related deaths in those patients given one dose (14 deaths) than in those given three doses (7 deaths) P >0.1 95% CL - 0.4% + 3.0%. However, there were more very elderly patients in the one dose group: 64% of the deaths were aged over 80 and all but one had an emergency operation. There was no difference in the other outcome measures studied which included non-fatal deep sepsis, length of postoperative hospital stay, duration of postoperative fever or the use of antibiotics for postoperative infection. One dose of a suitable intravenous antibiotic gives prophylaxis against wound infection in at-risk abdominal surgery which is at least as effective as multiple doses. However, there may be a risk of overwhelming systemic sepsis in very elderly patients having emergency surgery.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1136/pgmj.68.804.811
Additional information: Unmapped bibliographic data: DB - Scopus [Field not mapped to EPrints] M3 - Review [Field not mapped to EPrints]
Divisions: Divisions > Directorate of Education > School of Education
Depositing User: Bates Tom
Date Deposited: 15 Jan 2019 15:06 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Nov 2021 10:25 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/66391 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

  • Depositors only (login required):

Total unique views for this document in KAR since July 2020. For more details click on the image.