Oral Metronidazole and Cefixime as Prophylaxis on Wound Complications of Uncomplicated Appendicitis Following Appendectomy: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Abstract Backgrounds Without proper use of prophylactic antibiotics, the chance of infection at the site of surgery after appendectomy is around 10 to 30%. Although, in the case of nonperforated appendicitis, the therapeutic use of antibiotic prophylaxis is still contentious. Cephalosporins and Metronidazole has been shown to be effective against anaerobe micro-organisms, and its bioavailability after oral and parenteral administration is comparable. The aim of this research is to compare the incidence of infection-related complications following open appendectomy for nonperforated appendicitis in patients who were given prophylactic antibiotics (Metronidazole and Cephalosporins) either intravenously or orally. Materials & Methods In this randomized clinical trial, the open appendectomy was performed on 200 non-perforated appendicitis cases; 87 females and 113 males, with a mean age of 26 years. Of all the enrolled, 100 cases were given single-dose metronidazole and Cefixime orally (study group), and 100 cases were given single-dose intravenous metronidazole and Ceftriaxone (control group). Results The wound infection incidence did not vary substantially between the two groups. (5% and 7% in the control and case group, respectively, P = 0.552). In addition, the length of hospitalization was also similar between both groups (2.4 and 2.6 days in the in the case and control group, respectively, P = 168). Conclusion All in all, it has been concluded that a single-dose metronidazole and Cefixime taken orally before surgery could bestow impactful prophylactic effects for nonperforated appendicitis cases. Therefore, it could be used instead of the parenteral antibiotics (Intravenous Metronidazole and Ceftriaxone).