IMIPENEM PROPHYLAXIS IN ELECTIVE COLORECTAL SURGERY

In a randomized controlled study of 411 patients undergoing elective c olorectal surgery, the efficacy and safety of two different regimens o f imipenem were compared with those of a control regimen of cefuroxime plus metronidazole. Surgical infections occurred in 92 (26.4 per cent ) of 349 evaluable patients. There were no major differences between t he three treatment groups. It is concluded that imipenem is as effecti ve as cefuroxime plus metronidazole in the prevention of sepsis after elective colorectal procedures.