COMPARATIVE-STUDY OF AUGMENTIN VERSUS METRONIDAZOLE GENTAMICIN IN THE PREVENTION OF INFECTIONS AFTER APPENDECTOMY

Augmentin as single agent was compared to the combination of metronidazole/gentamicin in the prevention of sepsis after appendicectomy. Two hundred patients admitted to Riyadh Central Hospital with a clinical diagnosis of acute appendicitis were enrolled in a prospective randomized study. All patients had a preoperative chest X ray, CBC, urinalysis and any other necessary investigations. Patients received either drug regime intravenously, 30 min prior to surgery. The overall incidence of wound infections in the Augmentin group was 8% as compared to 14% in the metronidazole/gentamicin group. There were no intra-abdominal abscesses in either group. Patients with perforated or gangrenous appendices received a 3- to 5-day course of treatment. All the early wound infection (2-4 days after operation) occurred in patients with gangrenous or perforated appendices. The results were studied statistically using chi2 and there was no statistically significant difference between the infection rates in the two treatment groups whatever the state of the appendix at operation. Augmentin is as effective and well-tolerated as metronidazole/gentamicin in the prevention of wound infection following appendicectomy. The ease of administration of one drug with added antianaerobic property makes Augmentin superior to the tested combination.