Selective decontamination of the digestive tract in multiple trauma patients - A prospective double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study

Study objective: The aims of the study were to evaluate the technique of selective digestion decontamination (SDD) in preventing the development of nosocomial infections in a selected population and to assess the effects on colonization of the oropharynx, nares, and bronchi. A financial assessment was also performed. Design: Prospective, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial using amphotericin B, colistin sulfate (polymixin E), and gentamicin applied to the nares, the oropharynx, and enterally; no parenteral antibiotics were given during the study period. The SDD was applied every 6 h during the study period. Setting: Multidisciplinary ICU in a university hospital. Patients: A total of 148 trauma patients admitted emergently and intubated within less than 24 h were enrolled. Seventy-two patients who received placebo and 76 treated patients were analyzed on an ''intention-to-treat'' basis. Interventions: Microbiologic surveillance samples of oropharyngeal and bronchial secretions, urine, and any other potentially infected sites were taken at the time of ICU admission and twice weekly thereafter until discharge from the unit. Measurements and results: With the use of SDD, colonization was significantly reduced in the oropharynx and nares (p<0.05) but not in bronchi. However, episodes of bronchopneumonia were significantly reduced (19 in the active group vs 37 in the placebo group; p<0.01). Staphylococcus aureus remained the main potential pathogen causing bronchial colonization and subsequent bronchopneumonia, There was no reduction in the incidence of other infections. Days in the ICU, duration of mechanical ventilation, and mortality rate were unchanged. After the use of SDD, Gram-positive colonization tended to increase and this was mainly due to methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci. The total cost of antibiotic therapy ($62,117 [US] in the placebo group and $36,008 in the SDD group) was decreased by 42% with the use of SDD. Clinically important complications of SDD were not encountered. Conclusions: The use of SDD in this population of trauma patients reduced the incidence of bronchopneumonia and the total charge for antibiotics. Stay in the ICU, mechanical ventilation duration, and mortality rate were unchanged. Methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci were selected by SDD in some patients and the clinical relevance of this colonization needs further evaluation.